Artwork
Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte, Duchess of Angoulême
Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte, Duchess of Angoulême is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Christian von Mechel. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The nameplate below says she’s Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte, daughter of King Louis XVI, born in 1778.
This is a portrait of a woman with soft curls and a light headscarf. She’s wearing a dark dress with a lace trim at the neckline. The background is plain, keeping all focus on her face.
The nameplate below says she’s Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte, daughter of King Louis XVI, born in 1778. This print was made for her trip to Basel in 1795.
Look up National Gallery of Art, Washington to see where this print is kept.
Overview
Christian von Mechel’s 1795 aquatint depicts Marie‑Thérèse‑Charlotte, later Duchess of Angoulême, in a restrained half‑length portrait. The composition isolates the sitter against an unadorned background, directing attention to her facial expression and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents the young daughter of Louis XVI, born in 1778, shortly after the upheavals of the French Revolution. Her modest headscarf, soft curls, and dark dress with lace trim convey a dignified yet subdued royal presence, reflecting her altered status in exile.
Technique & Style
Executed in color aquatint, the print employs tonal washes to render delicate skin tones and the subtle texture of the lace. Von Mechel’s handling of light and shadow creates a gentle modeling of the face while maintaining the flatness typical of late‑18th‑century printmaking.
History & Provenance
The aquatint was produced to accompany Marie‑Thérèse‑Charlotte’s 1795 visit to Basel, where von Mechel was active. It later entered the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where it remains on view.
Artist & collection
