Framed hand-colored lithograph print of Leopold II, King of the Belgians entitled "Sovereigns, No. 3. "Un roi constitutionnel."" by James Jacques Tissot. This rare chromolithograph was published in Vanity Fair 9 October 1869 edition and is numbered 49.

The scene depicts King Leopolds greed,chiefly remembered for the founding and exploitation of the Congo Free State as a private venture. Leopold was the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free State, a private project undertaken on his own behalf. He ran the Congo using the mercenary Force Publique for his personal enrichment. He used great sums of the money from this exploitation for public and private construction projects in Belgium during this period. Leopold extracted a fortune from the Congo, initially by the collection of ivory, and after a rise in the price of rubber in the 1890s, by forced labour from the natives to harvest and process rubber.

A great rare antique print that is ready to hang complete with a description of the print and its depictions on the back.

MEASUREMENTS

Lithograph measures 15.25" long by 10.25" tall by 0.5" deep and weighs 1lb 9oz.

CONDITION

In good condition considering age - please see all pictures as they form part of the description.

Shop Ref: Box No.7

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