Offered by GSLR Antiques
18th century French school, pastel portrait of Marie Thérèse Charlotte de France, entourage or workshop of Joseph-Siffred Duplessis.
The eldest daughter of the French King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette and titled Madame Royale, the young princess is depicted here at about the age of two in 1780. Dressed in lace, wearing a cap with a white plume, she carries a bouquet of lilies, attribute of the Bourbons. Her features are very similar to those of the portrait of Madame Royale made in 1779 by Louis-Simon Boizot for the Manufacture de Sèvres: large bulging forehead, large almond-shaped eyes set back from the nose, small lips on a small dimpled chin flanked by rounded cheeks.
This portrait seems to be unknown today; it is probably a workshop copy of a portrait that has disappeared, which would have been given to a courtier. At this stage of our research, we have found no trace of the original of this portrait and its history. Therefore, we will use the term "entourage of Joseph-Siffred Duplessis", although it could also be a copy from his workshop.
Pastel, our painting is presented in its original frame: a rich oval model in carved wood and gilded with gold leaf, topped with a pleated ribbon. Circa 1780
Marie Thérèse Charlotte de France was the first child of the Royal couple. Her birth in 1778 was highly anticipated after 8 years of marriage. Nicknamed "Mousseline la Sérieuse", the young princess had a carefree childhood in Versailles with her mother and brothers, before being separated from her family in dramatic circumstances during the Revolution to become the "Orphan of the Temple". Taken in by her Uncle Charles X, she married his cousin Louis-Antoine d'Artois, Duke of Angouleme and Dauphin of France. Her husband did not reign and the couple went into exile in 1830. The Duchess of Angouleme died in 1851.
Joseph-Siffred Duplessis (1725-1802) was a French portrait painter of the second half of the 18th century. Born in the Comtat Venaissin, he moved to Paris in 1752 where he became famous and exhibited at the Académie de Saint Luc in 1764, then at the salon of 1769. By 1775, he was at the peak of his career and became a familiar artist at the French Court, representing King Louis XVI, his brothers and other members of the Royal family. Critics praised his talents as a portraitist, emphasizing the qualities of resemblance and truth in his paintings, as well as his ability to convey the character of the subjects depicted. He was also recognized for his talent in depicting skin tones. His contemporaries often compared and contrasted him with Alexandre Roslin, who was considered more gifted in rendering fabrics. He was very successful until the 1780's representing all the Parisian high society, and even Benjamin Franklin whose portrait by Duplessis still adorns today's 100 dollar bills. Duplessis' fame as a great portraitist faded after 1785. The new generation, embodied by Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun, made him out of fashion, focusing the attention of the public and commissions.
Very good condition; the drawing is fresh and without any mold or tears in the paper. Beautiful original frame (peg mount) in carved oak and gilded with gold leaf (original gilding cleaned)
Beautiful and delicate historical souvenir.
Frame : 80,5cm x 56,9cm
Canvas : 57cm x 45cm
