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Madame de Maintenon, second wife to King Louis
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Madame de Maintenon, second wife to King Louis
Francoise d Aubigne, Madame Scarron, Marquise de Maintenon, second wife to King Louis XIV of France, 1635-1719. She wears a black hood over a tall lace and ribbon headdress (Fontange), a mantua with train of blue velvet with ermine, with a bejeweled ermine petticoat. After an enamel in the editors collection. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Georges Jacques Gatine after an illustration by Louis Marie Lante from Galerie Francaise de Femmes Celebres, Paris, 1827
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Media ID 23186570
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Cloak Ermine Francoise Gatine Georges Headdress Hood Jacques Jewel Lace Madame Maintenon Marquise Petticoat Ribbon Scarron Velvet Daubigne
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Madame de Maintenon, née Françoise d'Aubigne, Scarron, Marquise de Maintenon, is depicted in this elegant handcoloured copperplate engraving. The image, created by Georges Jacques Gatine after an illustration by Louis Marie Lante for the Galerie Francaise de Femmes Celebres, captures the enigmatic second wife of King Louis XIV of France in the prime of her beauty and power. Born into a noble family, Madame de Maintenon's early life was marked by tragedy and hardship. She was raised in a convent and later married a wealthy poet, Scarron, with whom she had several children. After Scarron's death, she entered the court of King Louis XIV as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Marie-Thérèse. It was there that she caught the king's eye and, in 1670, became his secret wife. In this portrait, Madame de Maintenon wears a somber yet striking ensemble. A black hood covers her head, adorned with intricate lace and ribbons in the Fontange style. Beneath the hood, a tall headdress of lace and ribbons frames her face. A mantua of blue velvet, trimmed with ermine, cascades down her back, while a bejeweled ermine petticoat adds a touch of opulence. The overall effect is one of understated elegance and refinement, fitting for a woman who wielded significant influence at the French court. Despite her humble beginnings and the secrecy surrounding her marriage to the king, Madame de Maintenon left an indelible mark on French history. She founded the convent of Saint-Cyr, which became a renowned institution for the education of noble girls, and played a key role in the upbringing of the future King Louis XV. This striking portrait serves as a testament to her enduring legacy and the mystery that surrounds her.
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