Artwork

Treaty of Loeben, April 17, 1797

Treaty of Loeben, April 17, 1797, by Guillaume Guillon-Lethière, oil, 1806
Treaty of Loeben, April 17, 1797, by Guillaume Guillon-Lethière, oil, 1806

Treaty of Loeben, April 17, 1797 is an oil painting by Guillaume Guillon-Lethière. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the diplomatic act of writing, featuring Napoleon as a central political figure engaged in the treaty negotiations.

Guillaume Guillon-Lethière's history painting depicts the signing of the Treaty of Leoben on April 17, 1797. The composition centers on the diplomatic act of writing, featuring Napoleon as a central political figure engaged in the treaty negotiations. As a work of history painting, the piece serves to commemorate this specific diplomatic event between France and Austria, solidifying the terms agreed upon in Leoben.

The visual narrative focuses on the moment of agreement and the political figures involved in finalizing the accord.

Technique & Style

Guillaume Guillon-Lethière executed this history painting in 1806 using oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 38 cm in height and 48 cm in width. Stylistically, the composition focuses on the diplomatic event of the Treaty of Leoben, depicting figures engaged in the act of writing to formalize the agreement.

The scene includes representations of Napoleon and other politicians within the city setting, adhering to the conventions of the history painting genre.

History & Provenance

The painting titled Treaty of Loeben, April 17, 1797 was created by Guillaume Guillon-Lethière in 1806. Although the title references the diplomatic agreement signed in Leoben on April 17, 1797, the artwork itself dates to 1806, depicting the historical event rather than being a contemporary document of the signing. The work is an oil on canvas history painting measuring 38 cm in height and 48 cm in width.

It is currently held in the collection of the Museum of the History of France at the Palace of Versailles, where it bears the inventory number MV 6938.

Guillaume Guillon-Lethière's painting Treaty of Loeben, April 17, 1797 is held by the National Museum of the Châteaux of Versailles and Trianon in Versailles, France. The work is specifically located within the Museum of the History of France at the Palace of Versailles. Its official inventory number is MV 6938, as recorded in the French Ministry of Culture's Joconde database.

The provided sources do not contain information regarding a specific exhibition history for this artwork.

Context

The painting Treaty of Leoben, completed in 1806 by French artist Guillaume Guillon-Lethière, captures a pivotal diplomatic moment between Napoleon Bonaparte and Austrian officials in the Austrian town of Leoben. Executed in oil on canvas, the work exemplifies the history painting genre popular in early 19th-century France, emphasizing political narrative and national triumph. It is housed in the Museum of the History of France at the Palace of Versailles, where it forms part of the state's curated collection of French heritage.

Contemporary scholarship situates the painting within Guillon-Lethière's broader oeuvre and the neoclassical tradition, reflecting Enlightenment ideals and the artistic ambition to memorialize statecraft through grand historical subjects.

Legacy

The painting Treaty of Leoben, April 17, 1797, attributed to Guillaume Guillon-Lethière, has been recognized for its historical significance as a depiction of a pivotal diplomatic agreement between Napoleonic France and the Austrian Empire. It entered the collection of the Museum of the History of France at the Palace of Versailles, where it remains part of the national heritage. The work is frequently cited in studies of French historical painting and 19th-century diplomatic art, reflecting its enduring reputation within art-historical scholarship. Its composition and political subject matter have influenced later representations of treaty signings in European art.

Overview

Guillaume Guillon-Lethière’s oil painting, completed in 1806, records the signing of the Treaty of Loeben on 17 April 1797. The work is housed in the Palace of Versailles and presents a formal interior where diplomats and military officers gather around a table strewn with maps and documents.

Napoléon signs his abdication at Fontainebleau 11 April 1814
Napoléon signs his abdication at Fontainebleau 11 April 1814, François Bouchot

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Palace of Versailles open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Treaty of Loeben, April 17, 1797?

Treaty of Loeben, April 17, 1797 was painted by Guillaume Guillon-Lethière in 1806.

Where can I see Treaty of Loeben, April 17, 1797?

Treaty of Loeben, April 17, 1797 is held by Palace of Versailles.