Portrait of Hortense Mancini, Duchess of Mazarin (1640-1699), three-quarter-length, seated, in a white blouse and pink wrap, with a landscape beyond

Details

Henri Gascars (c.1635-1701)
Portrait of Hortense Mancini, Duchess of Mazarin (1640-1699), three-quarter-length, seated, in a white blouse and pink wrap, with a landscape beyond
signed, inscribed and dated 'Ortance Manchini Duchess of .../Mazerin H. Gascar 1680' (lower right, 'Gascar' strengthened)
oil on canvas
38 x 47½ in. (96.5 x 120,7 cm.)

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Lot Essay

The sitter was the most beautiful of the celebrated daughters of Hyeronima Mazarin, Cardinal Mazarin's sister, and Lorenzo Mancini. King Charles II, while in exile, asked for her hand in marriage but her uncle refused the suit. She subsequently married Armand de Le Meilleraye, a middle ranking noble with a great fortune, and the couple took the title the Duke and Duchess of Mazarin. Cardinal Mazarin left them the largest share of his own considerable fortune. In 1666 they separated and she left France. She lived for years on the estates of the Duke of Savoy but, after his death in 1675, went to England, where King Charles II welcomed her at court.

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