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Alexis-Simon BELLE (Paris, 1674 – 1734)
Portrait said to be …
See original version (French)
56
-
Alexis-Simon BELLE (Paris, 1674 – 1734)
Portrait said to be …
See original version (French)
Estimate €4,000 - €6,000
Voluntary lot
Description
Alexis-Simon BELLE (Paris, 1674 – 1734)
Portrait said to be of Antoinette de Saint-Germain Potier de Novion (1685–1754), Countess of Clermont-Tonnerre
Canvas (oval)
82.5 x 65 cm – 32 1/2 x 25 5/8 in.
Bears an attribution to François de Troy on an old label on the reverse.
Portrait said to be of Antoinette de Saint-Germain Potier de Novion (1685–1754), Countess of Clermont-Tonnerre, canvas (oval)
ALSO INCLUDED
Probably French school, c. 1730
Portrait said to be of Gaspard de Clermont-Tonnerre (1688–1781), Duke of Clermont-Tonnerre, Constable, Marshal, Peer of France
Canvas (oval)
81 x 65 cm - 31 7/8 x 25 5/8 in.
Bears a label on the reverse reading “Marshal-Marquis de Clermont-Tonnerre, father-in-law of J. Guilloteau de Grande(?) / 1730”
(Significant restoration work)
Portrait said to be of Gaspard de Clermont-Tonnerre (1688–1781), Duke of Clermont-Tonnerre, Constable, Marshal, and Peer of France, canvas (oval)
We would like to thank Dominique Brême for kindly confirming the attribution to Alexis-Simon Belle via digital photograph and by email on 22 May 2026.
Provenance:
Probably commissioned by Gaspard, Duke of Clermont-Tonnerre (1688–1781), and passed down through the family to the present day.
Description:
Gaspard de Clermont-Tonnerre was a French aristocrat and military officer who lived through almost the entire 18th century. Born in Dijon during the reign of Louis XIV, he belonged to an illustrious family of the French nobility. He joined the army at a very young age and quickly rose through the ranks in the cavalry.
He took part in the major European wars of his time and distinguished himself as an energetic and experienced officer. His most famous moment remains the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745: this French victory over the English, Dutch and Austrians became a symbol of French military prestige. Clermont-Tonnerre commanded the cavalry there and contributed to the French army’s success. It is, in fact, in full armour that he is portrayed here, holding a baton of command.
Thanks to this career, he was appointed Marshal of France a few years later, which at the time represented one of the kingdom’s highest military honours. But he was not merely a soldier: like many great lords of the era, he also managed his estates and developed certain family holdings.
Towards the end of his life, he embodied the Ancien Régime at its most prestigious. In 1775, at the coronation of Louis XVI in Reims, it was he—already very old—who carried the royal sword during the ceremony. It was on this occasion that he was elevated to the rank of Duke and Peer of France.
The portrait accompanying him is almost certainly that of his first wife, Antoinette de Saint-Germain Potier de Novion. Painted by Alexis-Simon Belle, it is a charming example of his delicate artistry. As François de Troy’s best pupil, he became his assistant whilst de Troy was working for the court of King James II of England, who was in exile at Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Belle adopted the successful techniques of his predecessors, including his teacher, as well as Largillière (1656–1746) and Rigaud (1659–1743). In particular, he adopted a preference for warm tones, as seen here in the yellow of the dress, the rosy hues of the flesh, and the flushed cheekbones.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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