Portrait Of A Princess – 17th Century French School

Oil on canvas. French school from the late 17th century.
The entire reign of Louis XIV was marked by the presence of numerous female figures. Alongside Queen Maria Theresa of Austria, important personalities emerged: aristocrats, courtesans, and women of letters enlivened court life. Even today, the names of Madame de Montespan, Ninon de Lenclos, and Madame de Sévigné resonate in our collective unconscious. The portraits of all these ladies echo the social events of the Grand Siècle and immerse us in this gallant society.
The importance of the commission then gave rise to new stylistic developments: Louis Ferdinand Elle le Père or the Beaubrun cousins quickly appeared outmoded and were gradually replaced by a generation of talented young artists who would form the great school of 17th-century French portraiture. While the names of Mignard or Rigaud are often associated with portraits of the most eminent members of the royal family, other artists focused on a less illustrious clientele. Thus, Largillière and François de Troy delivered intimate representations of these mid-ranking aristocrats and acquired particular notoriety in female portraiture. And it is following these two painters that we situate our painting.
Depicted in a three-quarter bust facing, our model, who sports the "à la Fontange" hairstyle, wears a salmon-pink dress enhanced by motifs embroidered with gold thread. Her orange whalebone body (bustier) almost acts as a flame in the center of her chest. Finally, the heavy blue velvet coat lined with ermine fur leaves no doubt as to the high rank of the young woman: it is the prerogative of princes and princesses of the blood.

Our portrait is presented in a carved and gilded wooden frame.
Dimensions: 41 x 32.5 cm - 51 x 43 cm with the frame
Sold with invoice and certificate of expertise

Bibliography:
- AUBERT Jean, Faces of the Grand Siècle: French portraiture under the reign of Louis XIV, 1660-1715, (cat. Expo., Nantes, Museum of Fine Arts, June 20 - September 15, 1997; Toulouse, Museum of Augustins, October 8, 1997 - January 5, 1998), Somogy, 1997.
- KIRCHNER Thomas, Joys and Misfortunes of Portraiture in 17th Century France, Paris, Fondation maison des sciences de l'homme German Center for Art History, 2022.
- BREME Dominique, JAMES-SARAZIN Ariane, Portraits in Majesty, François de Troy, Nicolas de Largillière, Hyacinthe Rigaud, (cat. Expo. Hyacinthe Art Museum Rigaud Perpignan, June 26 – November 7, 2021), Silvana Editoriale, 2021
- BREME, Dominique, François de Troy, 1645-1730, (exhibition cat., Toulouse, Paul Dupuy Museum, April 7 – July 7, 1997), Paris, Somogy, 1997.
- LEROUX Flavie, VAYSSE Elodie, Versailles: a feminine castle, Paris, Réunion des musées nationaux, 2022.
- HILAIRE Michel, RAMADE Patrick, Grand Siècle, Seuil RMN, 1993