Désirée – Is This a Portrait of Napoleon’s First Fiancée?

http://www.thecultureconcept.com/circle/desiree-is-this-a-portrait-of-napoleons-first-fiancee

BY CAROLYN MCDOWALL ⋅ MARCH 6, 2012 ⋅ 

Image of a beautiful young woman by French artist Robert Lefévre, courtesy David Roche Foundation, South Australia

The image of a previously ‘un-identified’ sitter, in 1st Empire style dress, showing off a gold finger band and superb pearl earrings, seated on a green silk velvet bench, is one of the great works of art in the celebrated David Roche Collection of Regency/Empire furniture and decorative arts. It was recently published, as part of a 2008 Exhibition – Empires and Splendour, which was held at the Art Gallery of South Australia. The portrait, an oil on canvas signed lower left R Lefévre Fecit, will be displayed in the first exhibition to be held at the David Roche Gallery in Adelaide post Easter 2012. It has been suggested, by some in the know the sitter is Bernardine Eugénie Désirée Clary (1777 – 1860) former fiancée of Napoleon Bonaparte, and later Queen Consort of Sweden and Norway? If it does turn out to be proved to be Désirée, it will be yet another coup for this renowned Australian collector David Roche, whose amazing ‘cabinet of curiosities’ will be bequeathed to the people of South Australia. Preliminary examination and knowledge that both portraits reveal a small blemish/beauty spot to the left hand side of her nose, is surely an intriguing co-incidence. This image is a side on view, as opposed to the full frontal view of the work by Lefévre below, which is now in the Royal Domain at Drottingholm. Those familiar with Désirée may also recognize her inimitable hairstyle.

Désirée Clary, later Queen of Sweden, by Robert Lefévre. This portrait is at Drottingholm

Neoclassicism was the culture of an age when educated and enlightened men and women deliberately set out to rediscover classical art and architecture. Why certain countries at certain times should be centers of genius and influence remains a mystery. But it is undeniable that the quality of French painting from the Revolution until 1930 is far superior to the work done elsewhere, through a series of masters like Jacques Louis David. Historically a portrait is the representation of an identifiable individual. Robert Jacques François Faust Lefèvre (1755 – 1830) was a French painter of portraits, history paintings and religious paintings. He was heavily influenced by Jacques-Louis David, Court Painter to Napoleon.

He is well known for his delightful portrait of Désirée Clary who in 1795 was presented to General Napoleon Bonaparte, to whom she became engaged on April 21^st of that year. However when Napoleon became involved with the widow ‘Joséphine’ de Beauharnais, whom he eventually married on March 9 1796, Napoleon broke off his engagement with Désirée. She fits well into the romantic genre, as the world she knew moved from an era of revolution, to that of the romantics. She was a merchant’s daughter, who became the Queen of Sweden.

Her sister, Julie Clary married Napoleon’s brother Joseph Bonaparte, and later became Queen of Naples and Spain. Lefévre painted her as well, so perhaps she might be an outside contender for the mystery portrait, as the two sisters were quite alike.

Lefévre began his career as a self-taught painter and in 1784 entered the studio of Jean-Baptiste Regnault at Paris. After several years of allegoric and mythology subjects he switched to portraiture, where he had considerable success.

Thanks to the sponsorship of French artist, writer, diplomat, author, and archaeologist Dominique-Vivant Denon, Lefévre was appointed Director General of Museums in 1802. He obtained numerous commissions from Napoleon Bonaparte and after the Emperor had been deposed, his career continued with Louis XVIII of France, to whom Lefévre became Court Painter.

The Bernadotte family; Désirée, Jean Baptiste, Oscar their son, who was the godson of Napoleon, and his wife Josephine of Leuchtenberg, who was the grandaughter of France's Empress Josephine

In late 1797/1798, Désirée Clary returned from Rome to France where she met her future husband, Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte [1763-1844]; a leading general in the French Napoleonic army.

They married on August 17^th 1798 and the following year she gave birth to their only child, a son, Oscar [1799-1859].

Désirée enjoyed a good relationship with the Bonaparte Imperial family, as well as with Empress Joséphine, and declined taking sides in conflicts between Joséphine and the Bonaparte siblings. Désirée also was given a place at the Imperial Coronation Ceremony of Napoleon and Josephine held in France in 1804.

It was in 1810 that General Bernadotte was elected heir to the throne of Sweden, at which time Désirée visited Sweden for the first time. Bernadotte became King of Sweden in 1818 and Désirée was crowned, at her own request, on August 21^st 1829.

Carolyn McDowall, The Culture Concept Circle 2012

Portrait of an Unknown Lady
Is it Désirée Clary?
Signed R Lefevre Fecit,

With thanks: Mr David Roche, David Roche Foundation Collection Adelaide & Martyn Cook, Sydney

ABOUT DAVID ROCHE
David Roche, whose father established the successful Adelaide Development Company in 1922, was born to be a collector. As a child, he benefited from the finest education and regular trips to Europe, where the family would enjoy private tours of the great art museums. He began purchasing antiques as a teenager and has continued to refine and add to his excellent collection ever since, with the advice of experts including Sydney antiques dealer and Mr Roche’s principal collection consultant, Martyn Cook. In 1999, Roche established the David Roche Foundation to maintain and preserve his collection, which he has bequeathed to the people of South Australia. He has been a lender and donor to the Art Gallery of South Australia, and to the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. He lives in Adelaide.