Felicity of France
1810/14
Medium
Engraving with etching in black on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Image: 45.6 × 35.2 cm (18 × 13 7/8 in.); Plate: 54.5 × 39.8 cm (21 1/2 × 15 11/16 in.); Sheet: 57.2 × 42 cm (22 9/16 × 16 9/16 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
82220
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This allegorical image of Felicity, or Happiness, celebrates Napoleon’s second marriage, to the Austrian archduchess Marie-Louise. The newlyweds appear in portrait miniatures held aloft by Felicity, perhaps a clever comment on the fact that they were introduced and engaged to each other via the intermediary of painted portraits. Indeed, on first seeing her bridegroom in the flesh, Marie-Louise is said to have remarked, “You are much better looking than your portrait.”
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...