Chapter XXVIII: Appendix: E

_UPON THE “LAST PORTRAIT OF THE QUEEN” BY KUCHARSKI_

THREE “last” portraits of Marie Antoinette, each very similar to the two others, though not replicas, are known to exist: each is ascribed to the painter Kucharski, who appears for a moment at the Queen’s trial, and who is known to have painted her at Court.

These portraits are, one in Arenburg Gallery at Brussels, another in the Carnavalet, and the third in the new Revolutionary Room on the third floor at Versailles. This last is the one which is reproduced here, because M. de Nolhac, by far the best authority, has assured me of its authenticity. On the other hand, it must be mentioned that the Belgian one was vouched for by Auguste d’Arenberg[59] who bought it in 1805, and who quotes the testimony of the painter[60] himself, who was then alive.

Footnote 59:

See “Notes sur quelques Portraits de la Galerie d’Arenberg,” in the
_Annales de l’Académie Royale d’Archéologie de Belgique_, 4th series,
vol. x. 1897.

Footnote 60:

On this painter there exists a monograph by Mycielski (Paris, 1894),
and an article published in the December number, 1905, of the _Revue
d’ Art, Ancien et Moderne_.

He appears to have affirmed that he saw the Queen in the Temple when
he was on guard, took the sketch, noting the details of dress, &c.,
and completing the work at home.

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