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Miniature Portrait of Louis XVI

Louis Marie Sicardi French

1784

Not on view

This pendant with a miniature portrait of the king (boîte à portrait) was given to Benjamin Franklin in 1785 after he left the French court. Only the likeness of Louis XVI survives; originally the picture was framed and crowned by 408 diamonds. Franklin left the pendant to his daughter, Sarah Bache, stipulating that she should never wear the diamonds, most of which were later sold.

Miniature Portrait of Louis XVI, Louis Marie Sicardi (French, Avignon 1743–1825 Paris), Watercolor on ivory, gold, glass; silver frame — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Miniature Portrait of Louis XVI

Artist: Louis Marie Sicardi (French, Avignon 1743–1825 Paris)

Date: 1784

Medium: Watercolor on ivory, gold, glass; silver frame

Dimensions: Without frame: 2 1/2 × 2 in. (6.4 × 5.1 cm)
Framed: 8 × 8 × 3 in. (20.3 × 20.3 × 7.6 cm)

Classification: Miniatures

Credit Line: American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Gift of the Richard Bache Duane Family of New York, 2014 (2014.9)

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