Offered by Arte Fact Fine Art
18th century French Portrait - Prince and Princess of Conti as Apollo and Diana by François de Troy (1645-1730) and studio
Louis Armand de Bourbon II, Prince of Conti, born on November 10, 1695, succeeded his father as Prince of Conti in 1709. He married Louise Élisabeth de Bourbon, the beautiful and intelligent daughter of Louis III de Bourbon, Prince of Condé, in 1713. This marriage strengthened the alliances within the Bourbon family. Louis Armand II had a respectable military career and participated in the War of the Polish Succession. Though his life was relatively short, he was known for his strong personality and dedication to his noble duties. Despite some controversies, he made his mark at the court of Louis XV. He passed away on May 4, 1727, at the age of 31. His wife, Louise Élisabeth, played a prominent role in the French court's social life, adding to the couple's distinguished legacy.
François de Troy (1645–1730) was a celebrated French painter, renowned for his portraiture and historical scenes. Born in Toulouse into a family of artists, he initially trained under his father, Jean de Troy. Seeking to enhance his skills, François moved to Paris, where he studied with Nicolas Loir and Claude Lefèbvre, two notable artists who significantly influenced his development. De Troy quickly gained prominence in Paris, becoming a leading portrait painter for the French nobility and the court of Louis XIV. His works were characterized by their elegance, meticulous detail, and the ability to capture the opulence and grandeur of his subjects. This style made him a favorite among the elite, securing him numerous commissions. In 1671, de Troy was admitted to the prestigious Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, which played a central role in the French art scene. He later became a professor at the academy, where he mentored many aspiring artists. His contributions to the arts were further recognized when he was appointed director of the Académie de France in Rome from 1708 to 1711. His son Jean-François de Troy inherited his father's talent and also became a very celebrated painter.
Works by the artist in museums include:
1. The Louvre, Paris
2. Versailles, France
3. The Wallace Collection, London
4. The Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
We thank Dominique Brême, Directeur du Domaine de Sceaux, Parc et Musée de l'Île-de-France, for his gracious cataloging of this lot for the previous owners. Monsieur Brême believes that the painting is an autograph replica with workshop assistance of a double portrait by François de Troy, now in a private collection; the original is signed and dated 1714. Monsieur Brême suggests that the models for the allegorical figures were Louis-Armand II de Bourbon (1695-1727), Prince of Conti, and his wife, Louise-Elisabeth de Bourbon (1693-1775), Princess of Condé (D. Brême, François de Troy, Paris, 1997, p. 161).
Provenance:
Private collection USA
Dimensions:
Oil on canvas measures ca. 64 by 83cms and with its antique frame ca. 84 by 103 cms
