Charles PORION (Amiens, 1814-Alger, 1908).
Napoleon III and the foreign sovereigns invited to the 1867 Universal Exhibition.
Original oil on canvas. Accidents and missing parts.
Signed lower left "Porion".
H. 89,5 x L. 125 cm.
History
This painting is probably the model for Charles Porion's composition representing the visit of foreign sovereigns and princes to Paris on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition from April 1st to November 3rd 1867.
Napoleon III commissioned Porion that same year to represent him surrounded by his prestigious guests. However, the diplomatic tensions caused by the execution of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, brother of Franz Joseph of Austria, on June 19, 1867, as well as the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, made the presentation of the painting impossible. With no more deadlines to meet, Porion finally completed his work in 1895.
Among the sovereigns represented are, in the foreground, from left to right, : Charles XV, King of Sweden (1859-1872) - William I, King of Prussia (1861-1888) - Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria (1848-1916) and King of Hungary (1867-1916) - Napoleon III, Emperor of the French (1852-1870) - Alexander II, Emperor of Russia (1855-1881) - Abdul Aziz, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (1861-1876) - Leopold II, King of Belgium (1865-1909). Behind them are other sovereigns and political personalities such as François d'Assise de Bourbon, King Consort of Spain (1822-1902), William of Orange, Crown Prince of the Netherlands (1840-1879), and Edward, Prince of Wales (Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom and Emperor of India, 1901-1910).
The final painting is kept in the Château de Compiègne museum, where the top of the triumphal arch is not visible.
Lot appraised by Mr René MILLET.
