(Schwäbisch Hall 1836–1916 Munich)
German soldiers on the “Place d’Armes” at Versailles 1871, signed, dated and inscribed Louis Braun München 1877, oil on canvas, 88.5 x 177 cm, framed, (W)

Provenance:
Private Collection, Germany.

Catalogued and illustrated in:
Albrecht Wirth, Im Wandel der Jahrtausende - Eine Weltgeschichte in Wort und Bild, Deutsche Verlagsgesellschaft, 1890

This painting refers to an event that took place in Versailles in 1871. It led to the proclamation of the second German Empire, after the victory of the German states over France. King Wilhelm I of Prussia was made Emperor. This event was preceded by political quarrels: Wilhelm neither wanted to become German Emperor (he would have preferred the title Emperor of Germany, and was able to take little pleasure in the idea of a unified Germany), nor did Ludwig I, King of Bavaria, want to support Wilhelm as Emperor as he was sceptical of the Prussians and demanded particular special regulations for Bavaria. Eventually, Wilhelm I’s son-in-law, Friedrich I of Baden, was able to win the King over and gain his approval so he could take up the position. The proclamation itself took place in Versailles’ hall of mirrors with the representatives of almost all German governments in attendance. After the celebratory act, there was a relaxed atmosphere in front of the palace: the soldiers rushed outside and celebrated the new unified German Empire.