A ‘jupon’ or petticoat with H and crown said have belonged to Queen Hortense c.1820

Description

White cotton and lace ‘jupon’ petticoat said to have belong to Hortense Bonaparte c.1820. After the collapse of the Empire Queen Hortense took the title of Duchess of St Leu.

Provenance

Hortense Bonaparte née de Beauharnais, Queen of Holland, Duchess of St Leu.

History & Context

At the Bourbon Restoration in 1814, Hortense received the protection of Alexander I of Russia. At his instigation, Louis XVIII granted her the title of Duchess of Saint-Leu (duchesse de Saint-Leu) on 30 May 1814. During the Hundred Days, however, Hortense supported her stepfather and brother-in-law Napoléon. In turn, Louis XVIII banished Hortense from France after Napoleon’s final defeat. She left Paris on 17 July 1815.
During her banishment, Hortense began to focus on writing her memoirs, composing and publishing her musical works, drawing, and painting. Her home became a meeting place for artists, composers, philosophes and nobles who supported the Bonapartes.

Marks & Inscriptions

Embroidered H and crown

Additional photographs