Joseph Nash

Anonymous sale, Oger-Semont, Paris, 17 December 2007, lot 51 (bt. by the present owner)

The watercolour has been well preserved and presented. The colours have remained strong and frame. A small amount of the frame's fret-work has come semi-detected from the wood frame structure however this is only a minor defect. For further information on this lot please contact Mark Griffith-Jones at mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com or 0207 293 5083.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Princess Marie-Amélie of Bourbon (1782-1766) was born at the Caserta Palace near Naples. Daughter of Ferdinando IV, King of Naples and Sicily (1751-1825) and Queen Maria Carolina (1752-1814), her aunt was Marie Antoinette, Queen of France and Navarre (1755-1793).

In 1809 she married Louis Philippe d'Orléans (1773-1850), who became King of the French after the July Revolution in 1830. In 1848 he was forced to abdicate and fled to England. For the reminder of their lives, the Royal couple lived at Claremont House, Surrey.

In this beautifully preserved watercolour Nash records not only the exquisite architectural details of the house but also the personal possessions of the exiled Queen. Of particular note are the portraits of François, Prince de Joinville (1818-1900), seen to the extreme right, the portrait of Louis Philippe, above the chimney-piece, and the portrait to the left of Henri, Duc d'Aumale (1822-1897) by Franz-Xavier Winterhalter (1822-1897).