ELENA (1873-1952, daughter of Nikola I, 1841-1921, from 1860 ruler as Prince, from 1910 as King of Montenegro, and wife of Vittorio Emanuele III, 1869-1947, King of Italy 1900-1946)

Lovely Presentation Portrait Photograph, by Carlo Brogi (1850-1925), Signed 'Elena', showing her in profile seated, wearing an elegant gown with a fur trimmed wrap and a tiara, she has her gloved hands folded in her lap, the photo is inscribed along the top margin in French, 'More than love and better than love! G.C.', in apparently a later, upright, probably Italian hand, attractively penned in mostly single letters, the portrait 9" x 6" in leather presentation frame, 12" x 8½", no place, no date but circa Transcription
Plus que l'amour et mie[u]x que l'amour ! G.C.
Translation
(More than love and better than love ! G.C.)

The charming inscription is a proverbial expression for friendship, echoing Madame Thiroux d'Arconville's "et l'amitié qui naît de l'amour, vaut encore mieux que l'amour même", "and friendship born of love, is worth yet more than love itself", (De l'amitié, 1764).
Carlo Brogi(1850 - 1925) was an Italian photographer, son of photographer Giacomo Brogi (1822-1881). He did numerous portraits, landscapes and views of cities.

Item Date:  1897

Stock No:  38011      £475

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire