| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | after Élisabeth Sophie Chéron |
| Published | [c. 1700] |
| Dimensions | Image 154 x 102 mm, Plate 172 x 117 mm, Sheet 207 x 118 mm |
| Notes |
A bust portrait of Antoinette Deshoulières, after a portrait from c. 1695 by Élisabeth Sophie Chéron, framed in an oval, with the title in a pedestal underneath, with two sheep and a herding staff on top of the pedestal, referring to her "Idylle des Moutons". She is shown turned slightly to the right, gazing directly at the viewer, wearing a low cut, loose dress, fastened with a brooch at the left shoulder, and a diadem in her hair. Antoinette du Ligier de la Garde Deshoulières (c. 1638-1694) was the daughter of Melchior du Ligier, who was Master of the Palace to Queen Marie de Medici and later Queen Anne of Austria. Antoinette was beautiful and educated, with a working knowledge of French, Spanish, Italian and Latin, and wrote poetry. She married Guillaume de Lafon Boisguerin, Lord of Houlières, and went to him to Flanders where he had joined the regiments of the Prince of Conde. She was imprisoned when she demanded the government pay her husband for his services, who came to save her by attacking the castle she was held in with a small group of soldiers. They returned to French court together, and where given amnesty for their actions. It was there that Antoinette could really dedicate herself to writing and she became quite prolific and respected. She was most admired for her "Idylle des Moutons", and allegory in which she writes of her two sons who had lost their father, being as sheep without a shepherd. She was elected as a member of the Academy of the Ricovrati in 1684 and the Academy of Arles in 1689, and granted a generous pension by the King in 1688. Her daughter Antoinette-Therese, also became a poet. Élisabeth Sophie Chéron (1648-1711) was a French painter and engraver. Condition: Trimmed close to plate mark at sides. Small tear to centre right margin. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £45.00 |
| Stock ID | 46884 |