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Steven Couzigou
Published on
Nov. 17, 2024 at 5:20 p.m.
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Despite her name, the Princess of Lamballe (Côtes-d’Armor) never came there. Previously, we told you his story. His portrait can be seen in the main hall of the Town Hall.
A painting from Austria
How did the painting arrive at Lamballe town hall? In 1977, a certain Radbot from Habsburg sent a letter to the town hall of Lamballe. He explains that his family has in their possession a painting representing the Princess de Lamballe.
“The painting is very representative and in good condition, measuring 145 x 206 cm. It is an oil painting by Jean Laurent Mosnier who signed and dated (1780) the work. »
Eager to sell it, the family reached an agreement with the town hall of Lamballe who bought it for the sum of 20,000 francs (or approximately 3048 euros).
At the beginning of 1978, through a new letter, Habsburg Radbot informed:
It is in a rented van that the painting will arrive directly from Austria on Friday February 3 at 3 p.m. at Lamballe town hall.
Who was Jean Laurent Mosnier?
Court painter under the Ancien Régime, Mosnier (1743-1808) began a brilliant career as a society painter in London, Hamburg and Saint Petersburg from 1789.
Official portraitist of Queen Marie-Antoinette, he left a considerable body of work of very high quality, both in painting and in miniature.
It’s almost Versailles here!
The chance to admire it. Digging through the archives at Lamballe town hall, we notice an explanatory note about this famous canvas painted in 1780. The Princess of Lamballe is seated and wears a white-pink satin dress enhanced with gold embroidery. She holds a drawing pencil in her hand.
On the table, we see a vase of flowers, a cherub, an open box and a drawing pad. The background offers a view of a garden with a fountain. “Some come from far away to admire this painting. He could be in Versailles but he is there! » , appreciates Isabelle Lenain, at the secretariat of elected officials.
The Princess of Lamballe even has her place on television and in the cinema! But shush, we’ll tell you this story a little later…
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