Souvenir Album of the Petit Trianon
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.In the early 1780s, Châtelet depicted the Petit Trianon in souvenir albums for the queen’s royal guests. This copy is believed to have been given to the queen’s brother, Emperor Joseph II, in 1781. The Swedish king also received one, as did Paul and Maria Feodorovna of Russia. Châtelet’s watercolors, interspersed with Mique’s architectural plans, reminded recipients of the places they had enjoyed. View the complete book at metmuseum.org/chatelet.
Artwork Details
- Title: Souvenir Album of the Petit Trianon
- Artist: Illustrated by Claude Louis Châtelet (French, Paris 1753–1794 Paris)
- Artist: Architectural plans by Richard Mique (French, Nancy 1728–1794 Paris)
- Date: 1781
- Culture: French
- Medium: Watercolor, pen and ink; stamped morocco leather binding; blue silk linings
- Dimensions: Closed: 19 1/2 × 15 3/8 × 1 in. (49.5 × 39 × 2.5 cm)
Open, from short end: 30 11/16 × 19 1/2 in. (78 × 49.5 cm) - Classification: Albums
- Credit Line: Vartanian & Sons, New York
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts