Artwork
Louise-Marie de Bourbon (1674-1681)
Louise-Marie de Bourbon (1674-1681) is an oil painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Pierre Mignard I. It dates from 1691 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work is alternatively titled "The Girl with Soap Bubbles," indicating the presence of this specific activity within the composition.
The painting depicts Louise-Marie de Bourbon, known as Mademoiselle de Tours, seated as the central subject. She is shown interacting with a parrot and a dog, elements that contribute to the scene's allegorical depth. The work is alternatively titled "The Girl with Soap Bubbles," indicating the presence of this specific activity within the composition.
In the context of late 17th-century portraiture, such imagery often alludes to the fleeting nature of childhood and life itself. The inclusion of animals and the act of blowing bubbles serves as a visual memento mori, suggesting the fragility and transience of the young sitter's existence.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint on canvas, the portrait measures 132 cm in height and 96 cm in width.
The handling is characteristic of Pierre Mignard’s courtly style, with smooth, blended modeling of the face and a restrained palette that privileges soft silks and satins. The child’s pose and the inclusion of playful motifs such as soap bubbles and a parrot contribute to a delicate, aristocratic genre scene. Formal qualities include a controlled, frontal composition and a quiet luminosity that emphasizes the sitter’s youth and status.
History & Provenance
Created in 1681 by Pierre Mignard I, this oil-on-canvas portrait depicts Louise-Marie de Bourbon, also known as Mademoiselle de Tours. The work, alternatively titled The Girl with Soap Bubbles, measures 132 cm in height and 96 cm in width. It entered the collections of the French state and is currently held by the Museum of the History of France at the Palace of Versailles.
The painting bears multiple inventory designations within the national system, including MV 3624, INV 6661, and LP 284, reflecting its status within the national heritage holdings.
The painting Louise-Marie de Bourbon, known also as Mademoiselle de Tours and La fillette aux bulles de savon, is housed in the Musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon. Its inventory identifiers are MV 3624, INV 6661, and LP 284. The work has been exhibited at the Musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon and is part of the Palace of Versailles collection.
Legacy
The portrait of Louise-Marie de Bourbon, attributed to Pierre Mignard I and painted in 1681, has been recognized for its artistic and historical significance, particularly through its inclusion in the collections of the Museum of the History of France at the Palace of Versailles. The work, also referred to as 'La fillette aux bulles de savon', continues to be part of scholarly discourse on French Baroque portraiture and the representation of young aristocracy. Its presence in major institutional collections underscores its enduring reputation within art historical narratives.
The painting is held in the Musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon, where it contributes to the broader cultural legacy of the Bourbon family in French heritage.
Overview
Pierre Mignard I's Louise-Marie de Bourbon (1674-1681), painted in 1691, is an oil portrait of the young Louise Marie Anne de Bourbon. The work showcases the artist's French Classical Baroque style.
Context
Created during the late 17th century, the portrait reflects the artistic rivalries and stylistic preferences of the French court under Louis XIV, with Mignard's work contrasting with the dominant style of Le Brun.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre Mignard or Pierre Mignard I (French pronunciation:; 17 November 1612 – 30 May 1695), called "Mignard le Romain" to distinguish him from his brother Nicolas Mignard, was a French painter known for his religious and mythological…
Marie-Anne-Victoire, Infanta of Spain (1718-1781)
Soap Bubbles
Hedvig Sophia of Sweden (1681–1708), Swedish princess and a Duchess Consort of Holstein-Gottorp, Spouse Frederick IV, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
Boy Blowing Soap Bubbles. Allegory on the Transitoriness and the Brevity of Life
Felipe de Borbón duque de Anjou y futuro Felipe V de España niño
Holstein-Gottorpin herttua Karl Fredrik lapsena
Boy Blowing Soap Bubbles. Allegory on the Transitoriness and the Brevity of Life
María Isabel of Bourbon and Saxony, Infanta of Naples and Spain
Maria Antonia of Spain
Portrait of Maria van der Meer as a Child
Marie-Louise de France (1728-1733), dite Madame Louise / Madame Troisième