An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Louis Philippe and his Sons, the Duke of Chartres and the Duke of Nemoursc. 1830–1832
Artist: Baron François-Pascal-Simon Gérard
French, 1770–1837
Louis-Philippe, King of the French, Ferdinand Philippe Louis Charles Henri, Duc d'Orléans, and Louis Charles Philippe Raphaël d'Orléans, Duc de Némours.
13 3/4 x 10 7/8 in. (34.93 x 27.62 cm) (canvas)
9 7/16 x 15 7/8 x 1 7/8 in. (23.97 x 40.32 x 4.76 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
France
19th century
The Ethel Morrison Van Derlip Fund
In the quiet echoes of history, Louis Philippe's life unfolds—a tale marked by triumph and turmoil, light and shadow. Born in 1773, he grew up amidst the whispers of revolution and dreams for a transformed France. As a young man, Louis could hardly have imagined the tumultuous path that lay before him.
Fast forward to 1830, when the winds of change blew through the streets of Paris, carrying with them a chorus of voices demanding transformation. In the aftermath of the July Revolution, Louis Philippe emerged from the shadows, crowned as the King of the French. He took on the mantle of leadership, his heart filled with hope as he envisioned a nation rising anew.
Yet, the thrill of the crown was a double-edged sword. The very fabric of society began to fray under the weight of unrest. Tensions brewed, and dissatisfaction grew, culminating in the fervent international uprisings of 1848. The sights and sounds of revolution returned, echoing the cries of those who sought change once more.
As the dust settled, Louis Philippe found himself adrift, his reign slipping through his fingers like sand. By the time the storm passed, he had been dethroned, a king unseated by the very people he aimed to serve. In his moment of defeat, a sense of introspection must have enveloped him. He left France, seeking refuge across the English Channel, his spirit heavy with the knowing that the world he envisioned had dissipated around him.
In 1850, two years after his fall from grace, Louis Philippe breathed his last in England. A life marked by power and loss, his story remains intertwined with the echoes of change—reminding us that history is not merely a record of events, but rich narratives of human aspirations and the relentless pursuit of a better world.
About the artist
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