Henriette of France as Flora

portrait

In 1742 the Queen of France, Maria Leczinska, wife of Louis XV, impressed by Nattier's remarkable talent in the execution of portraits, requested that the artist paint her first daughter Henrietta (1727-1752). The original version is still at Versailles, as is the replica executed in 1745 for the castle of Choisy. According to the most reliable reconstructions the canvas of Florence, signed and dated lower right 'Nattier pinxit 1742', is probably a replica executed specially for the Spanish Infanta Luisa Elisabetta, Henrietta's twin sister, and sent to Madrid in 1746 together with its pendant representing Marie Adelaide of France as Diana.

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About the Artist

Jean-Marc Nattier

1685 – 1766

French portrait painter. His father, Marc (c. 1642-1705), was a painter and his mother, Marie Courtois (c. 1655-1703), was a miniaturist. He was one of the most successful artists at the court of Louis XV, excelling in the vogue for painting women in mythological or allegorical fancy dress - or undress - transforming his matrons into goddesses (Mme de Lambesc as Minerva, Louvre, Paris, 1737). His portraits are little concerned with individual characterization, but they show fluency, vivacity, and a relaxed charm. He was at his best with women and has been accused of 'painting with make-up', a comment that suggests the pastel-like delicacy of his handling. Taste was turning against him towards the end of his career and some of his later work shows signs of fatigue. His brother Jean-Baptiste was also a painter; he committed suicide after being expelled by the Académie.

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