Le Départ des Alliés, rare neckerchief celebrating the Empir - Lot 91

Le Départ des Alliés, rare neckerchief celebrating the Empire, Manufacture Hartmann fils à Munster, 1819 Lithographic and woodblock printing in vivid polychrome on silk taffeta, design by Henri Lebert (1794-1862). Radiant composition of a medallion in honor of the Grande Armée, the rays picturesquely illustrate the departure of the allied occupying troops in 1818. The pansy border symbolizes the hope of Napoleon's return, alternated with gold coins bearing the effigy of Louis XVIII, symbolizing popular resentment of the heavy 700 million franc contribution paid to the Allies and associated with the Bourbons' return to power. Framed under glass, with brown areas degraded in the middle by mordants, as on other examples in public collections. 86 x 84 cm Copies in the collections of Musée Carnavalet (inv. OM5544) and MISE Mulhouse Inv. 970.64.1M.