Pair of trompe l'oeil portraits of Empress Marie-Louise, Italy, circa 1850-1880
Description:

This pair of panels, made in Italy between 1850 and 1880, is an artistic curiosity from the second half of the 20th century. XIX19th century. She ingeniously combines pasted prints and trompe-l'œil painting, drawing inspiration from the taste of the XVIII19th century. The background, imitating a framed wooden board, is skillfully treated: shadows and painted borders create an illusion of depth on the flat surface.
The first panel is structured around an engraved portrait of Marie-Louise, after Jean-Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855). It is surrounded by prints depicting old views of Parma, including the bridge over the Taro River—built at the Empress's behest—a city map, a copy of the Gazetta di Parma dated February 22, 1826, and a decree issued by Marie-Louise. These documents, "fixed" with painted nails, enhance the illusion.
The second panel features a similar composition, centered on an engraved portrait of Marie-Louise by Giovanni Rocca (1788-1858), accompanied this time by a Gazetta di Parma from June 26, 1826. On both works, the artist has placed objects — a chamberlain's key with the Archduchess's coat of arms, a quill pen, a pair of glasses — to accentuate the trompe-l'œil effect.
Technical feature:

Unlike trompe-l'œil, which is traditionally entirely painted, these two panels combine prints and painting, a technical approach similar to that observed in two works kept at the Carnavalet Museum: Trompe-l'œil aux assignats (anonymous, after 1792, inv. G.29858) and Trompe-l'œil aux assignats avec besicles (LC François, engraver, after 1795, inv. G.29862).
Intertwined M and A monogram (Research in progress)
Dimensions:

Without frame: Height 50 cm – Length 65 cm.

With frame: Height 61 cm – Length 76 cm
Origin :

Italian private collection.
Conservation state :

Excellent state of conservation.
Related works:

Anonymous, Trompe-l'œil with assignats, after 1792 XVIIIth century, Paris, Carnavalet museum (inv. G.29858).

François, LC (engraver), Trompe-l'œil with assignats and spectacles, after 1795, XVIIIth century, Paris, Carnavalet museum (inv. G.29862).
Bibliographic reference:

Trompe-l'œil from 1520 to the present day, [exhibition, Paris, Musée Marmottan Monet, October 17, 2024 – March 2, 2025], under the direction of Sylvie Carlier and Aurélie Gavoille, Musée Marmottan, Paris, 2024.
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Pair of Trompe l'oeil Panels Featuring Portraits of Empress Marie-Louise, Italy, c. 1850–1880
Description:

This pair of panels, created in Italy between 1850 and 1880, represents an artistic curiosity from the second half of the 19th century. They ingeniously combine collaged prints and trompe-l’oeil painting, inspired by 18th-century aesthetics. The background, mimicking a framed wooden board, is skillfully rendered: painted shadows and borders create an illusion of depth on the flat surface.
The first panel is centered on an engraved portrait of Marie-Louise, after Jean-Baptiste Isabey (1767–1855). It is surrounded by prints depicting historic views of Parma, including the Taro Bridge—built at the Empress's initiative—a city map, a Gazetta di Parma dated February 22, 1826, and a decree issued by Marie-Louise. These documents, “affixed” with painted nails, enhance the trompe-l’oeil effect.
The second panel follows a similar arrangement, featuring an engraved portrait of Marie-Louise by Giovanni Rocca (1788–1858), this time accompanied by a Gazetta di Parma from June 26, 1826. On both panels, the artist placed objects—a chamberlain's key bearing the Archduchess's cypher, a quill, and a pair of spectacles—to further emphasize the trompe-l'oeil illusion.
Technical Note:

Unlike traditional trompe-l'oeil works, which are entirely painted, these panels incorporate both prints and painting, a technique comparable to that seen in two works held at the Musée Carnavalet: Trompe-l'oeil with Assignats(anonymous, after 1792, inv. G.29858) and Trompe-l'oeil with Assignats and Spectacles (LC François, engraver, after 1795, inv. G.29862).
Intertwined M and A monogram (Research in progress)
Dimensions:

Unframed: Height 19⅝ in – Length 25⅝ in.

Framed: Height 24 in – Length 30 in.
Origin:

Private Italian collection.
Condition:

Excellent original condition.
Related Works

Anonymous, Trompe-l'œil with Assignats, after 1792, 18th century, Paris, Musée Carnavalet (inv. G.29858).

François, LC (engraver), Trompe-l'œil with Assignats and Spectacles, after 1795, 18th century, Paris, Musée Carnavalet (inv. G.29862).
Bibliographical Reference:

Trompe-l'œil from 1520 to the Present, [exhibition, Paris, Musée Marmottan Monet, October 17, 2024 – March 2, 2025], edited by Sylvie Carlier and Aurélie Gavoille, Musée Marmottan, Paris, 2024.