Hi, gentlemen,
Last summer I was on holiday touring round Germany, and ended up visiting Kulmbach, so I could go round the museum.
I bought a set of figures representing Napoleon holding a soiree at Malmaison. Most of the figures are readily identifiable: Marshals & Generals, civilian musicians, servants, ladies, oh yes, and bits of furniture.
However there are two figures, which from the painting on the box front, I do not recognise. One is wearing a pale blue cutaway surtout, faced dark blue, with a brown or maroon waistcoat. The other is wearing a brown habit coat, with pale blue facings and waistcoat. (Please see attached photies.)
My question for wiser heads than mine is, what do these figures represent?
Are they:-
1. A branch of the French army that I don't recognise,
2. Officers from one of Napoleon's allies,
Or Heaven forfend, 3. A flight of fancy on the part of the painter.
I should be most grateful for any guidance, as I don't want to blindly follow the box art without knowing whether I am doing something real or spurious.
Regards,
David Griffith