162 - Nicolas de LARGILLIÈRE (1656–1746), circle of

Nicolas de LARGILLIÈRE (1656–1746), circle of Presumed Portrait of Françoise-Marie de Bourbon (1677–1749) Oil on canvas, oval format H_65.5 x W_80.5 cm Re-stretched, restored Our painting is characteristic of the style of Nicolas de Largillière, who enjoyed great success among the French nobility under Louis XIV and later Louis XV. He depicted the figures of his time with a blend of elegance and realism, highlighting their social status, wealth, and character. His works, characterized by rich colors, meticulous attention to clothing, and expressive faces, reflect the tastes of French society in the 17th and 18th centuries. He trained several students who, in turn, helped spread his style throughout France and across European courts. Françoise-Marie de Bourbon (1677–1749), known as the Second Mademoiselle de Blois, was a legitimized daughter of Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan. In 1692, she married Philippe d’Orléans, the future regent of the kingdom. Eight children were born of this union. Having become Duchess of Orléans, she held an important position at the court of Versailles. She died in 1749, during the reign of Louis XV.