“It might have been easier for me to reconcile all Europe instead of two women”, – claimed French King Louis the Fourteenth. He was aware of various caprices, tricky women’s whimsies which he knew about not from books. According to scientific calculations, during his life the Sun King has had dozens of fans, apart from official marriages. Having relationship with each of ladies was like separate love story, unbelievable feelings, worries and wrench of saying goodbye.
Big, attractive and fathomless eyes, accurate facial features, dark and curly hair… who was that incredible Italian lady who is depicted on the painting of Flemish artist Jacob Ferdinand Voe? One of Cardinal Giuilio Mazzarino’s nieces – the first love of Louis the Fourteenth was Maria Mancini. Dark-eyed beauty came from Italy to Paris in order to find rich husbands together with her sisters. Because of their attractiveness, sophisticated clothing and unique hairstyles ladies from the Royal Household have disliked potential competitors from the first glance. Nothing surprising: women’s jealousy is a common thing.
Kings are able to do everything, but getting married for love is not about them! Political interests are much more important that people’s feelings. Even though, Louis the Fourteenth has fallen in love with young and passionate Maria, he got married with Spanish Princess. In order to leave some memory of his beloved one, the King has ordered her portrait from the best European artist Jacob Ferdinand Voe, who has been working in the Royal Household and was famous among local upper classes. His customers were governors, dignitaries, Swiss Queen Christine, honored Medychi’s ladies and prosperous citizens of Versailles palace.
Confident and bright aristocrat lady, wearing elegant French dress and with the hairstyle, symmetrically put together curls are contemplating. According to a legend, Maria was the person who made up a new style of hair-styling. Her example has been attracted by modern fashionistas, and in the 60s years of XVII century nearly every madam was wearing the same hairstyle, which has become a characteristics of a lady of a high degree.
Natural beauty, charm and tempting glance… It’s really hard not to fall in love! However, Sun King decides to get married and a love story remains in the past. As a memento about his own feelings he presented the portrait to his heroine.
How far is the French King Louis the Fourteenth, his epoch and love stories from us! The most important thing is, that today in Zhytomyr History Museum you can see a portrait, which probably was once hold by none other than the King of France.
The jewel of an exhibition, something like “European universe” we can see thanks to a great Zhytomyr patron of the arts and philanthropist Baron de Chaudoir. A unique collection of paintings of the best Eastern European masters which have been gathering it during four descents of de Chaudoirs. Having encyclopedic knowledge, sense of taste and talent of collectors our great countrymen have been collecting the most valuable paintings of the best artists and saved artistic masterpieces for descendants.
How could the portrait of Maria Mancini come to hand of Stanislav Chaudoir is still unknown…
Researchers can probably solve this riddle in the future. Let’s now just look and enjoy genius masterpiece of Jacob Ferdinand Voe, whose works beautify expositions of the Louvre and the Prado.
Translated by Aliona Matushevich
