Répresentation Exacte du Grand Collier en Brillants des Srs. Boëhmer et Bassenge
This print shows a to-scale representation of the diamond necklace, central in the so-called 'Affair of the Necklace', which brought scandal upon the French Royal family and Queen Marie-Antoinette in particular in the years leading up to the French Revolution. The necklace had initially been commissioned by the French King Louis XV from the Parisian jewelers Bassenge et Böhmer for his mistress, Madame du Barry (Jeanne Bécu de Cantigny). The design for the necklace contained a total of 540 diamonds and King Louis XV died before the jewelers could complete the commission. Left in dept due to their great investment, and without a buyer for the exuberant piece, Böhmer and Bassenge offered the neckl ...
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c. 1785
Etching
47.7 x 36.8cm
49.40.324
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
Where you'll find this
Permanent collection