Maria-Carolina of Bourbon of Two-Sicilies (1798-1870) was married to the Duke of Berry (see following lot) in 1816. Several months after the murder of her husband in 1820, she gave birth to the Duke of Bordeaux, later called Count of Chambord (see preceding lot). Exiled in 1830, she conspired fiercely against King Louis-Philippe and was caught in 1832 when she tried to raise troops against the Roi Citoyen. The scandal caused by the birth of her illegitimate daughter in 1833 destroyed her moral and political credibility, and so she had to leave France again. She finally settled down in Austria, together with the other exiled Bourbons.
For another portrait of the same sitter, see lot 272.