Skip to main content
Items Similar to C19th Portrait Princesse de Joinville of Brazil - Spectacular fit for a palace
Antique 19th Century French Oil on Canvas Painting by Asti, Portrait of a Lady
Antique 19th Century French Oil on Canvas Painting by Asti, Portrait of a Lady
François-Xavier FABRE - French Portrait Mysterious lady 19th century Oil painting Acknowledged master
French Portrait Mysterious lady 19th century Oil painting Acknowledged master
Portrait of Madame Recamier 1802
Portrait of Madame Recamier 1802
Unknown - Russian Female Portrait, Empire Period, around 1812. French Inscription.
Russian Female Portrait, Empire Period, around 1812. French Inscription.
Unknown - Romantic European painter - 19th century figure painting - Portrait of lady
Romantic European painter - 19th century figure painting - Portrait of lady
Elegant 19th-Century Portrait of an Aristocratic Lady Friederike von Preußen
Elegant 19th-Century Portrait of an Aristocratic Lady Friederike von Preußen
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Henri d'Ainecy Montpezat
C19th Portrait Princesse de Joinville of Brazil - Spectacular fit for a palace

c. 1837-9

About the Item

Portrait of Princess de Joinville riding a Bay Horse Henri d’Aincy, Le Comte Monpezat (French 1817-1859) Painted circa 1837-9 oil on canvas 113 x 92 inches (including frame) 92 x 70 inches (unframed) Provenance – from a private royal collection This magnificent portrait depicts Princess de Joinville, the daughter of Pedro I, Emperor of Brazil and the King of Portugal. Through her illustrious family she was directly related Alexander III and Nicholas II of Russia and the Russian royal family, as well as to many of the great ruling families of Europe. The work clearly confirms Monpezat as one of the most accomplished equestrian portrait painters in France in the early nineteenth century. In terms of scale, quality and dramatic power, it must surely be considered amongst his finest works. The stance of the powerful thoroughbred - in half rear - emphasises the calm nature and courage of the Princess. Francisca of Brazil (1824-98) married a son of Louis Philippe I, the King of the French, and had three children. Born at the Imperial Palace of Saint Christopher, her youngest brother was the future Pedro II of Brazil. As such, she was the aunt of Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil, and also a first cousin of Princess Maria Carolina of the Two Sicilies, Napoleon II of France and Franz Joseph I of Austria. Her grand-daughter, Marie of Orleans, was sister-in-law to Alexander III of Russia (her husband Valdemar was brother to Empress Maria Feodorvovna, Alexander III’s consort), and one of the aunts of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia. A further family tie links Marie of Orleans – through her father-in-law the Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia – to Alexander II of Russia, the Grand Duke’s brother. Francisca married François d'Orléans, the Prince de Joinville, in Rio de Janeiro on 1 May 1843. The bride was 19 and the groom 25. Their only daughter Princess Françoise d'Orléans married her first cousin Robert, Duke of Chartres, and became the mother of Marie of Orleans. When the Orléans family fled France, they settled in England living at Claremont. It was there that Francisca gave birth to a still born daughter in 1849; the next year, the exiled King Louis Philippe I died himself. During the rule of the House of Bonaparte of the Second Empire, the Orléans family returned to France; Francisca herself died in Paris aged 73. Her husband outlived her by two years dying in Paris in 1900 Henri d’Aincy, Le Comte Monpezat The artist came from a noble and aristocratic family in the South of France. His nephew was the artist Gericault and his cousin was De Dreux. There is also a family tie with the painter Vernet. In spite of his illustrious pedigree he was a highly professional if unprolific artist, and his work has the finesse and grandeur of the greatest of the French classical painters. This painting has been seen by the President of the French Side Saddle Association, Madame Beatrice Orsoni, who has confirmed the date of the painting through the depiction of the saddle, style of riding, and tack. The dress of the sitter has been confirmed as being of the same date by experts at the V&A Costume Department, London.
  • Creator:
    Henri d'Ainecy Montpezat (1817 - 1859, French)
  • Creation Year:
    c. 1837-9
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 113 in (287.02 cm)Width: 92 in (233.68 cm)
  • More Editions & Sizes:
    UniquePrice: $360,833
  • Medium:
    Oil
  • Movement & Style:
    Old Masters
  • Period:
    1830-1839
  • Condition:
    The canvas is in extremely good condition. The painting is in a French Empire frame, carved and gilded, which is made in four separate parts with bolts allowing for ease of movement. There are areas of gilding that we would happily improve.
  • Gallery Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU67332401803