Ontwerp voor de lijst voor een geschilderd triptiek, vervaardigd als geschenk van de vrouwen van Lyon aan koningin Marie-Sophie van Napels, prinses van Wittelsbach, de echtgenote van koning Frans II van Napels 1861

Jean-Pierre-Alexandre Tahan designed this frame for a painted triptych to be gifted from the women of Lyon to Queen Marie-Sophie of Naples. Tahan's design, rendered in graphite and watercolor, reveals much about 19th-century French society and its relationship to monarchy. Note the overt symbolism: the fleur-de-lis, a symbol of French royalty, patterns the frame, while heraldic crests adorn the center. The inscription, "Homage of the Ladies of Lyon to Her Majesty the Queen of Naples," tells us about the social dynamics at play, particularly the performative role of women in expressing political allegiances and solidifying social hierarchies. This was a time when Lyons was an important manufacturing centre for silk and other luxury goods. The gift reflects the city's wealth but also implies the continuing dependence of such cities on the patronage of royalty and the aristocracy. Understanding this artwork demands that we look beyond its aesthetic qualities and consider the social conditions that gave rise to its creation. Primary sources, such as letters, municipal records, and fashion magazines from the period, can help us to understand the intentions and wider cultural context of this ornate token of royalist sentiment.