In France, documentary evidence of painted eggs goes back the 13th century. At first, religious themes were common; later on, the exchange of eggs decorated with life symbols, love messages, etc. and plated with gold leaf, became a custom in Edouard 1st court circle. In the 16th, François 1st was represented with an egg, opened to reveal wood carving depicting the passion of Christ. This led to using the egg to hide unexpected scenes or figures. It gave its origine to the"Oeuf Surprise" or Surprise Egg. In France, these kind of eggs were by far the most beautiful: birthdays, marriages, christenings, wishes for the new year, were significant stages in life, often marked by the offering of surprise eggs.
The idea of decorated eggs developped in the late 18th century . The French significantly contributed to the rise of this art form. Already in the 17th, Louis XIV, the French "Roi Soleil" - the Sun King - was very fond of the tradition of eggs as Easter gifts. Each year of his reign, gigantic egg baskets, assembled in pyramids, were laid out in his room. These painted or dyed eggs were blessed by the chaplain of His Majesty, then distributed to relatives as well as guards and servants. It seems that it was he who first thought of decorating eggs with various scenes. For the record, he gave his favorite, Madame de La Vallière, an egg, adorned with small scenes and holding a consecrated relic.
Under Louis XV, the creation of decorated eggs was even more important, as shown by Boucher, Watteau and Lancret's works ; unfortunately, this legacy did not survive because of the fragile nature of the material. The king even maintained a small zoo of ostriches at Versailles, exclusively for the production of eggs - not for omelettes! They were decorated by a court artist - Jean Etienne Lebel - to be offered to the king at Easter. Painting on egg shells made it difficult for Etienne Lebel to be recognized as a painter and to be admitted to the Guild of Painters. A Mister Delaroche interceded on his behalf to the Marquis of Marigny (Abel François Poisson), brother of the Marchioness of Pompadour. In a letter, never published before, Delaroche explains: "I deeply beg you to show Maître Lebel an expression of your kindness. This painter decorated His Majesty ostriche eggs for the past ten years. He solicits from you to become independent to devote himself to his art more than he does before. This very serious young man is a true talent."The king is aware and seems to approve this petition.
Artificial surprise eggs were also introduced in the court of France. They quickly became a popular practice, and continues to this day.
Louis XVI continued the egg offering tradition, using more sophisticated eggs than the ones of the small zoo.
After the French Revolution, surprise eggs were in decline because this tradition was prohibited by the revolutionaries. But it was difficult to erase the habit among the people and in the French provinces. In Paris, one could see artificial eggs decorated with miniaturized Bastilles.
Under the Empire, the decorated egg won acclaim again, with more importance and enthusiasm than ever.
