Miniature Depicting General Nicolas Philippe Guye At The Age Of 20, Late 18th Century

Born in Lons-le-Saunier in 1773, Nicolas Philippe Guye joined the armies of the French Revolution at the age of nineteen. He took part in campaigns in the Alps, Italy and the Rhine, where he distinguished himself by his bravery and quickly rose through the military ranks. Under the First Empire, he became a colonel and was promoted to brigadier general in 1813. He served in Spain, where his portrait was painted by Francisco de Goya in 1810. After the fall of the Empire, he continued his career under the Restoration before ending his life in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, where he was also mayor. He died in 1845.

The present miniature depicts Nicolas Philippe Guye around the age of 20, at the start of his military career, as he prepares to enter the years that will make him one of the distinguished officers of the wars of the Revolution and Empire.