Miniature On Ivory - Portrait Of Louis XVI, After Antoine Callet (1786) - Signed Henri Boudier

Miniature on Ivory, 19th-Century French School Portrait of Louis XVI, after Antoine-François Callet (1786), signed Henri Boudier

Set within a finely chiselled oval medallion, this hand-painted miniature on ivory pays tribute to one of the most iconic portraits of the French monarchy. Inspired by the celebrated ceremonial painting by Antoine-François Callet (1786), now housed in the Musée Carnavalet, the work delicately captures the dignity and gentleness of King Louis XVI, last sovereign of the Ancien Régime.

This choice of subject is far from incidental: Callet, the king’s official portraitist, was also the author of mythological masterpieces such as The Story of Venus (1774, Louvre Museum) and Spring or Zephyr and Flora Crowning Cybele (1780–1781), the spectacular ceiling of the Galerie d’Apollon at the Louvre. His refined sense of composition and light is here transposed to an intimate scale.

The king is portrayed in a red ceremonial coat adorned with white lace, wearing the star of the Order of the Holy Spirit—a symbol of dynastic tradition and royal sovereignty. His powdered hair, serene expression, and the elegance of his attire evoke the grandeur of the 18th century, while the miniature format and ivory support reflect the 19th-century taste for commemorative objects and neoclassical homage.

The discreet signature “H. Boudier” at lower right attests to the skilled execution by an artist renowned for his ivory portraits, in the tradition of Second Empire miniaturists. The subtle rendering of skin tones, the precision of the decorative elements, and the harmonious framing lend this piece a rare historical and aesthetic aura.

Dimensions: Medallion diameter: 6.4 cmFrame: 12.4 × 12.4 cm

A jewel of a collectible—ideal for lovers of royal portraiture, connoisseurs of French history, and enthusiasts of 19th-century decorative arts.