Presumed Portrait Of Françoise Marie De Bourbon School Of Nicolas De Largillierre Circa 1710 1720

Presumed portrait of Françoise-Marie de Bourbon (1677-1749), known as "la Seconde Mademoiselle de Blois"
School by Nicolas de Largillierre (1656-1746)
Oil on canvas, late 17th - early 18th century

Elegant ceremonial portrait depicting a lady of high birth, traditionally identified as Françoise-Marie de Bourbon, legitimated daughter of Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan, future Duchess of Orleans through her marriage to Philippe d'Orléans, nephew of the Sun King.

The work presents the model in bust form, in a pose of sober dignity, wearing a precious gown in rich mordor tones, adorned with a laced bodice, delicate lace and a deep blue coat, a color traditionally associated with nobility and princely representation. The powdered hairstyle embellished with flowers, as well as the soft modelling of the face, bear witness to French aristocratic aesthetics at the hinge of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The treatment of the gaze, the chromatic subtlety, the quality of the drapery and the overall elegance bring this composition closer to the workshop or entourage of Nicolas de Largillierre, the great portraitist of the court and aristocracy under Louis XIV and the Regency.

Restored and cleaned canvas
Only canvas Height 80 cm Width 64 cm