Details
Cosmo Alexander (1724-1772)
A Portrait of Princess Mariclementina Sobieska half length in Pearl Bejwelled Dress and ermine trimmed Blue velvet Cape her left arm resting on a pillar on which is her Crown
oil on canvas
39 x 30in. (99.2 x 76.2cm)
A Portrait of Princess Mariclementina Sobieska half length in Pearl Bejwelled Dress and ermine trimmed Blue velvet Cape her left arm resting on a pillar on which is her Crown
oil on canvas
39 x 30in. (99.2 x 76.2cm)
Further details
Princess Maria Clementine Sobieska (1702-1735) was the youngest daughter of Prince James Sobieski (1667-1737), the son of John III of Poland (1624-1696). An emissary of the Prince James, the Chevalier Wogan, roved Europe, looking for a suitable wife for his Royal master. In 1718, he found Mary Clementina. Her relationships to the ruling families of Austria, Bavaria and Portugal made her attractive to James, as did her dowry of a large collection of rubies, the Sobieski sapphire and 25 million francs. The arrangements of his marriage had been left in the hands of Wogan and James Murray, a trusted member of the Jacobite inner circle, while Prince James visited Spain. George I's government pressured the Holy Roman Emperor to stop the marriage, which he tried to do by arresting Clementina and her entourage at Innsbruck. The Chevalier Wogan helped her to escape in dramatic circumstances. Upon reaching Bologna, a proxy marriage was celebrated (9th May, 1719) with Murray representing James. A second ceremony took place at Montefiascone in September when James returned. The marriage was not a success. Their two sons were sources of severe quarelling, for James was happy for them to be in the care of Protestants as well as Roman Catholic attendants. Although James was a devout Catholic his wife interpreted this as bringing up her children as Protestants. In 1725 she retired to a convent, but eventually returned in August 1727, to lead a life almost entirely devoted to religion. By the end of 1734 her health was very bad, weakened by asthma and fasting. She died on 18th January 1735, possibly from scurvy.
Although forming part of a set of four pictures by Cosmo Alexander the above must be a postumous portrait.
Although forming part of a set of four pictures by Cosmo Alexander the above must be a postumous portrait.