Duchess Ludovika in Bavaria.
This painting has been made in 1891 by Franz von Lenbach.
Ludovika was born on 30th of august 1808 in München.
Her father was king Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria and his second wife Caroline of Baden.
She was sister of archduchess Sophie, mother of emperor Franz-Joseph.
During the wedding of Sophie with archduke Franz-Karl in Vienna Ludovika fell in love with Miguel I of portugal.
He even fell the same towards Ludovika and asked king Maximilian the hand of his daughter.
The king declined because Miquel had plans to replace his father as king of portugal.
Later when Miguel became king of portugal he asked again but the letter with his proposal came too late, 5 days too late!
Ludovika married 5 days before the letter arrived with duke Max in Bayern.
Max in bayern was promissed to marry Ludovica's younger sister Maximiliane Josepha, who unfortunatly died young.
It was againt duke max and duchess Ludovicas will since they didn't love eachother.
But because it got the duke and his family political benefits, since she was a kings daughter, he had to marry her.
They had 9 children.
One stillborn.
Their daughter Marie Sophie became queen of two sicily.
Their other daughter Sisi, empress of austria.
Another daughter, Sophie Charlotte, died a tragic death at a charity in Paris where a fire broke out.
And her son Carl-Theodor's second wife was Marie-Jose of Braganza, daughter of King Miguel of portugal.
Her daughter-in-law was a daughter of her first love, the one she wanted and loved, the one she wanted to marry.
But the one who was to late to intervene in her faith.
If his letter got through before the wedding of duke Max and Ludovika, think how differently history would have been.
No heroin of Gaeta, Maria-Sofia.
Not the most beautiful empress of time, Sisi.
Then this page wouldn't even have existed!
Lucky for us, bad for her she had married max.
Ludovika was already widowed when this portrait was painted.
She died a year after the painting was made on 26th of January 1892 in München at the age of 83.
Miguel of Portugal actualy died today 154 years ago.
14th november 1866.