La Tabatière Choiseul

Acquired by the Musée du Louvre in 2023, the Choiseul snuffbox is undoubtedly the most original and famous snuffbox of the 18th century. The gold frame by Louis Roucel (before 1756-1787) is the setting for six miniatures by Louis Nicolas Van Blarenberghe (1716-1794) depicting the flamboyant Duc de Choiseul, the great minister of Louis XV, at the height of his glory. Every facet of the daily life of this generous and arrogant character is portrayed, highlighting his hard work, which was inseparable from the exercise of power, as well as his refined lifestyle and his immense collection of paintings and objets d'art.

Bringing together a group of specialist historians and curators, this book renews the body of knowledge on this tiny object (2.7 x 7.9 x 6.1 cm), which initiates a reflection on the relationship between art and power while offering a multitude of enigmas to solve about its origin, its successive owners, the meaning of the scenes, and the identification of the places and people represented.