Paul Gabriel d'Alichoux de Sénégra

The sitter in this miniature could be named thanks to a replica that appeared on the art market in 2023.¹ Paul Gabriel d'Alichoux de Sénégra (1774-1841) was the son of Antoine Louis d'Alichoux, Baron of Sénégra, and Joséphine de Savelly de Caseneuve. In 1813 he married Adèle de Masclary. He was a French military officer who was appointed General Intendant to Napoleon and later Grand Maître to Louis, King of Holland. However, the latter suspected him of embezzling funds and deposed him in 1807.
A total of four versions of the miniature are known. They are identical in the face of the gentleman but differ to some extent in the design of the clothing and the medals. In a version auctioned in Toulouse in 2000, the gentleman wears an aubergine-coloured uniform with rich silver embroidery.² A blue ribbon is visible over his right shoulder and a silver breast star on his left breast. In the variant auctioned in Toulouse in 2023, the gentleman wears the same insignia and a uniform of the same colour, but without silver embroidery. In the Tansey miniature and an identical replica,³ sitter is wearing a blue ribbon bearing a small golden clasp, along with the star of his order, which is mostly obscured by his left lapel.
The star and the blue ribbon belong to the Dutch Order of the Union (Orde van de Unie), which was only in existence from 1806 to 1811.
J. S. O., B. P.