Portrait Of Margherita Gonzaga, Duchess Of Lorraine. School Of Frans Pourbus The Younger XVIIth S

Period early 17th century Oil on canvas Presented in a very beautiful Italian frame from the early 17th century, model called "Cassetta" with its original gilding. Total dimensions: 94 x 80 cm. The canvas alone: 70.3 x 55.8 cm Like most court portrait painters of this period such as Pourbus, the figures are almost always represented on a dark background, the faces strongly lit highlighting the complexions and the refined details of their costumes. Marguerite de Gonzague or "de Mantoue", Duchess of Lorraine, was an Italian princess of the House of Gonzague, born October 2, 1591 in Mantua, and died February 7, 1632 in Nancy. Eldest daughter and fourth child of Vincent I, Duke of Mantua and Montferrat, and Eleanor de' Medici, herself daughter of Francis I de' Medici. She is thus the niece of Marie de Médicis, the second wife of King Henri IV. She married, on April 26, 1606 in Nancy (capital of the Duchy of Lorraine), Henri II of Lorraine, then Marquis of Pont, widower since 1604 of Catherine de Bourbon, sister of King Henri IV of France. They had two children. Derived with some variants from a model painted in 1612 by Pourbus the Younger currently at the Teatro Olimpico (Vicenza). Our painting was to be intended to adorn a gallery of portraits of illustrious people as many large residences (especially Italian) possessed. There are several versions of this table. Frans Pourbus II, known as the Younger (Antwerp 1569 – Paris 1622). He became a free master in Antwerp in 1591. From around 1600 he began to work for the Archdukes Albert and Isabella in Brussels. From 1600 to 1609 he was painter to the Gonzagas in Mantua. He traveled to carry out works in Innsbruck, Naples, Paris and Turin. Called to Paris in 1609 by Marie de Medici, he became court painter there, a title he kept until his death. He enjoyed a European reputation. His early works, painted in Antwerp c. 1590, are influenced by his father and Key. See the book by Blaise Duclos "Frans Pourbus le jeune" page 286 *Payment facilities on request