Kaiserin Marie Louise

Marie Louise is depicted in her wedding dress. The red velvet cloak with ermine lining had already been worn by Josephine de Beauharnais, Napoleon's first wife who had remained childless, at her coronation. The diadem and necklace of diamonds and rubies - works by François-Regnault Nitot, Napoleon's favourite jeweller - are the precious bridal gifts presented to Marie Louise in the jewellery box by Biennais (Inv. No. SK_WS_XIV_153). As a special eye-catcher the young empress is wearing the diamond-set portrait miniature of Bonaparte by Jean-Baptiste Isabey, with which Marshal Louis-Alexandre Berthier had asked for the hand of the young Habsburg princess on Napoleon's behalf on 8 March 1810. Isabey was especially sought-after as a portraitist by the high aristocracy. Napoleon also appreciated the artist's decorative talents, entrusting him with arranging all the festivities at the French imperial court.