Charlemagne Enthroned and Saint Louis IX with His Queen, Lithograph, 1842

This original antique lithograph, hand colored, comes from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image shows Charlemagne seated on a broad throne, bearded, in a full gold robe with a white band falling from his shoulders. He holds an unrolled scroll in one hand and in the other a lance carrying a blue banner sprinkled with gold devices. Two bearded men in rose red cloaks kneel on either side of the throne, the one at the right wearing a tall white and gold headdress. The lower image shows three standing figures. At the left Louis IX wears a red cap and a long rose brocade robe trimmed with brown fur, holding a short staff. In the center he appears again crowned, in a red robe under a blue mantle with gold devices and an ermine lining, beside his crowned queen at the right in a white gown and blue mantle, her hands joined in prayer.

The lettering reads "T. IV" at the top left, "FRANCIA" at the center and "Tav. 20" at the top right. The upper caption reads "Carlo Magno in Trono" (Charlemagne on the throne). The lower caption reads "Luigi IX il Santo. Lo stesso in abito Reale con sua moglie" (Louis IX the Saint. The same in royal dress with his wife).

Charlemagne, king of the Franks, was crowned emperor in Rome in the year 800. Louis IX reigned as king of France from 1226 to 1270 and was canonized in 1297, which is why the caption calls him the Saint.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.