6 - Hyacinthe RIGAUD (1659–1743), from the studio of.

Hyacinthe RIGAUD (1659–1743), from the studio of. Portrait of Elisabeth Charlotte of Bavaria, Duchess of Orléans, known as “the Palatine” (1652–1722), oil on canvas (re-stretched and restored). The Duchess of Orléans, through her marriage to Philippe d’Orléans, known as Monsieur, brother of King Louis XIV, is depicted seated in a three-quarter-length portrait facing left, wearing a rich woven brocade gown adorned with delicate lace on the sleeves and draped in an ermine cloak bearing the fleur-de-lis, symbolizing her rank. In a large gilded wooden frame decorated with a frieze of palmettes. H. 90 x W. 73 cm. Frame: H. 118 x W. 99 cm. Related Works - Hyacinthe Rigaud, signed and dated 1713, Portrait of the Palatine, 144 x 112 cm, Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin, inv. Gm 96/37 (ill. 1). - Studio of Hyacinthe Rigaud, circa 1713, Portrait of the Palatine, 140 x 119 cm (enlarged), Palace of Versailles, inv. MV 2084 (ill. 2). History The Princess Palatine, sister-in-law of Louis XIV and a celebrated letter-writer, by her own admission rarely allowed herself to be painted. In 1713, however, she agreed to pose for the renowned Hyacinthe Rigaud, who had already painted a very famous portrait of the king (1701). Although the painting, commissioned by a Parisian art collector, was not intended for her, she was persuaded by Louis XIV himself to keep it: this signed work is now in the Deutsches Historisches Museum in Berlin (ill. 1). Numerous copies were produced by Rigaud’s studio, notably for German correspondents and Madame’s family. The painting at Versailles is believed to be one of them, as suggested by the presence of enlargements on each of its four sides (ill. 2). A widow for twelve years, the Princess Palatine is depicted as she actually appeared at that age, yet she bears the attributes of royalty (description taken from the Palace of Versailles website).