Louis XVIII, also called (until 1795) Louis-Stanislas-Xavier, Comte (count) de Provence, (born Nov. 17, 1755, Versailles, Fr.—died Sept. 16, 1824, Paris), King of France by title from 1795 (exiled) and in fact from 1814 to 1824 (his death), except for the interruption of the Hundred Days, during which Napoleon attempted to recapture his empire. Royal by the Boubon line, Louis was the fourth son of the dauphin Louis, the son of Louis XV, eventually heir apparent upon the beheading of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette during the Terror, French Revolution, he lived in exile until regaining the crown in 1814. The little painting we have seems early enough to have been completed to the end of his lifetime, but there is also a chance it is a bit later and done for souvenir trade, but no later than c.1840-50. Unlike most portrait miniatures, this one is a little painting in watercolor on paper. Shown in our photos are the papers and card housed behind it in the old wood frame.
Very good condition for age and type, no loss to the painting, which is on paper, though it fits very slightly small to the aperture (100% cotton rag paper can shrink with age, and this is likely why). Frame in very nice condition without splits, cracks or chips. Glass is flat and the brass mount has some age showing to patina. Full measurements noted on the photos.
