Artwork

Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne

Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne, by Pierre Gobert, oil, 1710
Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne, by Pierre Gobert, oil, 1710

Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Pierre Gobert. It dates from 1710 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

A fair woman in a low-cut white gown with pink sleeves rests one hand on her chest, her hair pulled back and dressed with small flowers. The dark, plain ground keeps the focus on her calm pose. "Adelaide de Savoie" runs down the left edge, "Duchesse de Bourgogne" down the right, dated 1710.

Subject & Meaning

Painted by Pierre Gobert in 1710, the work is a posthumous commemoration of the sitter’s status as both a Bourbon princess by marriage and a Savoyard heiress.

The portrait depicts Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne, at the age of 25, shortly before her death in 1712. Painted by Pierre Gobert in 1710, the work is a posthumous commemoration of the sitter’s status as both a Bourbon princess by marriage and a Savoyard heiress. The restrained elegance of her silver-gray silk gown and pearl-trimmed stomacher signals aristocratic refinement, while the absence of overt regalia underscores her dual identity as a French duchess and a Savoyard princess.

The portrait thus functions as a dynastic record, preserving her image within the Bourbon court’s visual culture during a period marked by the War of Spanish Succession and the political ambitions of Louis XIV’s grandson, Philip V of Spain.

Technique & Style

The portrait is executed in oil paint on canvas, measuring 73 × 59.1 cm. The handling is typical of early eighteenth-century French court portraiture, characterized by smooth, blended modeling of the face and a restrained, luminous palette that emphasizes the sitter’s porcelain-like complexion. The costume is rendered with careful attention to the reflective qualities of silver tissue and the delicate lacework of the fichu and engageantes, while the ermine-lined mantle is described with soft, blended strokes that convey texture without impasto. No losses or major damages are recorded in the sources, and the surface appears to retain its original integrity.

History & Provenance

Commissioned as a portrait of Marie Adélaïde de Savoie, Duchesse de Bourgogne, this oil on canvas was executed by the French artist Pierre Gobert in 1710. The work depicts the sitter at approximately twenty-five years of age, shortly before her death in 1712. While specific details regarding the original patron or the immediate circumstances of the commission are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the painting's inception is firmly established at the beginning of the eighteenth century.

Following its creation, the artwork entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it remains housed. The painting measures 73 cm in height and 59.1 cm in width, representing a standard format for court portraiture of the period.

The portrait of Marie Adélaïde de Savoie, executed by Pierre Gobert in 1710, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, created using oil paint on canvas, measures 73 cm in height and 59.1 cm in width. While the museum's acquisition records confirm its location within their holdings, the provided documentation does not list a specific accession number or detail any past exhibition history for this particular piece.

Overview

This oil painting by Pierre Gobert, created in 1710, portrays Marie Adélaïde of Savoy, who held the title Duchesse de Bourgogne. The artwork is a formal portrait, capturing the sitter's likeness and status. It is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering insight into early 18th-century French court portraiture.

Marie-Thérèse-Louise de Savoie-Carignan, Princess of Lamballe
Marie-Thérèse-Louise de Savoie-Carignan, Princess of Lamballe, Louis-Édouard Rioult

Artist & collection

Artist

Pierre Gobert

Pierre Gobert (1662–1744) was an artist, born in Fontainebleau.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne?

Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne was painted by Pierre Gobert in 1710-01-01.

Where can I see Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne?

Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne?

Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne?

Museum-quality prints of Marie Adélaïde de Savoie (1685–1712), Duchesse de Bourgogne are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.