Gentleman in Brown Coat Embroidered with Gold

In this comparatively plain and simple miniature, Sicardi painted a bust of a middle-aged gentleman in front of a grey background. This conventional type of portrait is enriched by a detail that was important for the model. He is presenting this detail proudly in the picture:two medals decorate his left breast. On the left, on the red ribbon, the Order of Saint Louis can be seen and on the right, on the blue ribbon, the Cincinnati medal.

The Order of Saint Louis, founded by King Louis XIV of France to recognise military services, consists of a white, eight-pointed cross with lilies in the angles, and in the middle a medallion with an illustration of Saint Louis, after whom the King was named. Surprisingly, the cross of the order has been painted with gross errors here: the arms of the cross, which are actually placed horizontally and vertically, are diagonal in the picture, the lilies are missing; the medallion in the middle is discernible but has been painted unusually small. Sicardi would certainly not have made such errors as he knew the exact appearance of the cross. It is more probable that the sitter did not own the medal when the miniature was painted, but had it painted in later.¹

The Cincinnati medal which is portrayed correctly here was created in 1783 and was awarded in recognition of outstanding services during the American War of Independence. It shows an eagle with gold wings and has a medallion with a picture of Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus in the middle. The Roman consul was considered to be a model of Roman virtue because he, appointed dictator during times of war, successfully fought against Rome’s enemies yet subsequently resigned, returning power to the representatives of the people.

B. P.