Officer Of The Cent-suisses Company – Attributed To Rémy-furcy Descarcin (1747–1793)

Original oil on canvas.

Dimensions: 56 × 44.5 cm.

The Company of the Hundred Swiss was one of the most prestigious units of the King’s Military Household. Founded in the late 15th century under Louis XI, it served as the sovereign’s personal guard during official ceremonies and at royal residences.

Composed exclusively of Swiss soldiers, renowned for their loyalty and discipline, it formed, along with the Swiss Guards, the elite of the troops in the service of the French monarchy until its dissolution in 1792.

This portrait depicts an officer with the rank of captain in the prestigious Company of the Hundred Swiss, recognizable by his regulation uniform consisting of a blue coat with red facings richly edged in gold.

His life, however, was marked by a tragic episode. After taking in the Marquis de Travanet, Descarcin fell out with him, accusing him of attempting to seduce one of his daughters. This affair led to several legal proceedings and fueled a bitter feud. Amid the turmoil of the Revolution, he was ultimately brought before the Revolutionary Tribunal and guillotined in 1793.

His daughters, known as the “Demoiselles Descarcin”, formed a musical ensemble that was highly regarded in the Parisian salons of the late 18th century. They performed in concerts, singing and playing instruments, contributing to their family’s artistic reputation.

Condition

Presented in its Louis XVI period gilt frame, later re-gilded.

The painting has recently undergone professional conservation treatment, including:

• surface cleaning;
• localized consolidation of the paint layer;
• reversible inpainting of minor losses;
• installation of a new stretcher;
• light restoration of the period frame.

These conservation treatments ensure the painting is now presented in excellent display condition while contributing to its long-term preservation.
As with any period painting, minor signs of age and wear may remain on both the canvas and the frame. These are inherent to the age of the artwork and do not affect its visual appreciation or overall presentation.

The work is ready to join a collection and can be displayed immediately without any further intervention.

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