Sébastien LECLERC (Metz, 1637-Paris, 1714), atelier de.

The marriage of Leopold I of Lorraine and Elisabeth Charlotte d'Orléans in 1698. Pen and black ink, gray wash, white gouache. Horizontal and vertical folds, snag at lower right. 14.3 x 20.6 cm (irregular shape). In a pitchpin frame. History Our drawing shows the couple kneeling at the altar, surrounded by clergy and court. The presence of the cross of Lorraine, as well as the three fleurs-de-lys visible on the armorial tabard of a guard, and the Order of the Holy Spirit, visible on the necks of several prelates, leave no doubt as to the identity of the couple. This drawing is probably a project for a vignette in an annual almanac, like the one preserved at the BnF, edited by Gérard Jollain, in 1699 (Est. Res. Qb-201 (73)-Ft 5. Epr. complete). It is likely that this is the first of the two offices that united the couple: the marriage by proxy, which took place in Fontainebleau on October 13, and by which the Duc de Lorraine was represented by his cousin the Duc d'Elboeuf, Charles III de Lorraine-Guise. The young Duke Leopold then joined Elisabeth-Charlotte in Vitry-le-François, and renewed his marriage in Bar-le-Duc on October 25. The memorialists were delighted to report that the marriage was consummated that very night. It was a fruitful one, with 14 children born. The couple, who defended Lorraine's independence from the French, carried out extensive embellishment work on their château in Lunéville. Lot presented by Mr. Pierre-Antoine MARTENET, expert in Antique Drawings and Paintings.