Helene-Louise de Mecklembourg-Schwerin Duchess of Orléans and her Son
Artist: Hermann Goldschmidt (1802-1866) based on Frans Xaver Winterhalter (1805-1873)
Date: 1848
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Fontainebleau, National Museum of the Château, France
Description
Helene, Daughter of Prince Frederick of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1778-1819), was chosen to marry the heir to the throne Ferdinand-Philippe d'Orleans. Even if this couple was not the most glamorous, they both seemed to like each other. The arrival of this German princess in France sparked several remarks of suspicion that eventually then became more friendly. Columnist Delphine de Girardin wrote: "Still, Madame Duchess of Orléans has one great advantage over our wonderful ladies in Paris in that she has the air of a princess while they all appear like dolls" and the Countess of Boigne said: "I was able to tell the Duke of Broglie very conscientiously that I found her as charming as he expected. “ Everyone agreed on her kindness towards the royal entourage and her desire to be part of the family.
This portrait shows the Duchess of Orleans in full dress: Her ivory satin robe has a plunging neckline and the ankle-length skirt is lined with floral-patterned Brussels lace as her the satin shoes peak out the bottom. Her hair is styled in a headband below a lace headdress finished with blue satin ribbons.
