Advanced Search 
Portrait of Marguerite d'Angouleme, Queen of Navarre
Made at: Limoges (France)
French (Limoges)
about 1540-1550
Object Place: Europe, Limoges, France
Medium/Technique
Painted enamel and gilding on copper; wooden frame
Dimensions
Other (Overall): 9.2cm (3 5/8in.)
Credit Line
H. E. Bolles Fund
Accession Number47.1542
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsEnamels
Marguerite was a true Renaissance woman, sister to King Francis I, poet, diplomat, religious reformer, and patron of the arts. This enamel portrait, derived from a drawing attributed to François Clouet, shows her in elegant black but probably also in a period of mourning as indicated by her headdress. Making striking use of the enamel medium to represent her fair skin and blue eyes, her likeness is set on a deep blue filed evoking precious lapis lazuli. The Renaissance Revival frame dates to the late 18th century when it was in the collection of Horace Walpole.
DescriptionPortrait of Marguerite d'Angouleme, Queen of Navarre (1492-1549), depicted in a 3/4 view, wearing a black wimple and robe against a blue ground; double lines of gilding, black between, at edge. Set in a wood frame, partially gilded (one scroll broken).
InscriptionsEighteenth-century paper pasted to back of frame, giving Margaret's history, in Horace Walpole's hand.
ProvenanceHorace Walpole (b. 1717 - d. 1797), Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, London; May 16, 1842, Strawberry Hill sale, Robins, London, lot 33, to Fuller for 20 gn. Hollingworth Magniac (b. 1786 - d. 1867), Colworth House, Bedfordshire; by descent to his son, Charles Magniac (b. 1827 - d. 1891), London; July 2 and 4, 1892, posthumous Magniac sale, Christie's, London, lot 397. 1947, Paul Drey Gallery, New York; 1947, sold by Drey to the MFA for $900. (Accession Date: December 11, 1947).