Le roi de Rome - L'Aiglon 1899

This original 1899 lithograph, Le Roi de Rome – L’Aiglon, by the renowned French illustrator and caricaturist Charles Léandre, is a rare and evocative piece from the Belle Époque era. Known for his masterful work in satirical publications like Le Rire, Léandre here turns to a subject of deep historical and emotional resonance: Napoleon II, the son of Napoleon Bonaparte, remembered as L’Aiglon—the Eaglet.

A tragic symbol of lost imperial glory and national longing, the young prince spent his short life in exile in Austria, never reigning over the empire he was born to inherit. This lithograph reflects the mythic status Napoleon II had gained in France by the end of the 19th century, especially in the wake of L’Aiglon, the 1900 play by Edmond Rostand that romanticized his legacy.

Executed with Léandre’s trademark sensitivity and expressive finesse, this piece is hand-signed and dedicated by the artist, and it was once part of the esteemed Collection Ed. Sagot, a gallery known for curating works by many of the era’s leading printmakers. Though not published by Sagot, its presence in their collection speaks to the quality and cultural significance of the piece.

This lithograph is a compelling acquisition for collectors of Napoleonic history, Belle Époque illustration, and early modern European prints—a work that bridges personal story and national identity with remarkable artistic grace.

Napoleon - Empire - France

Old covering - Signed and dedicated by the artist - Ed. Sagot Collection

Good condition, small tears restored