[Portrait] Rigaud, Hiacinthe / Will J. G.
Maurice de Saxe Duc de Curlande et de Semigallie Maréchal de France.
A paris chez l´auteur quay des Augustins entre les ruës Paveé et Gile-coeur, au logis de M. Emery. 1745. Plate mark 46,5 x 34 cm. The whole sheet 68 x 49,5 cm. Engraving.
Large margins. Uncut. A couple of small indentations to the right side of the image. A very discreet crease across the image. Some creases and a couple of very short tears to the margins. Thin paper strips along two margins at the back.
An impressive portrait of Maurice Count of Saxony (1696-1740) by the great engraver Jean Georges Wille after an Original by Hyacinte Rigaud. Maurice was a Saxon officer who fought for several different powers, for example russia under Peter the Great against Sweden. Eventually he joined the french army where he secured many glorious victories and even becoming Marshal General of France. Louis XV was very impressed with his military achivements that brought such honour to France. He was one of the great commanders of the 18th. century and even wrote a classic book on the art of warfare - Mes Réverie - published in 1757. The parents of Maurice were Augustus II the Strong of Poland and his mistress the swedish noblewoman Maria Aurora von Königsmarck. Johann George Wille (1715-1808) was royal engraver to Louis XV of France, Fredrick II of Preussia and Fredrik XV of Denmark and awarded the Legion of Honour by Napoleon. Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659-1743) was a baroque painter known for his exactness in capturing his subject and their costumes, which makes his paintings perfect records of contemporary fashion. Rigaud was one of the finest portrait painters of his time, depicting virtually all of the french nobility as well as foreign royals, ambassadors and dignitaries for more than half a century.
Item No: 3561
