Portrait of Duchess Ortensia Mancini, Jacob Ferdinand Voet (Antwerp 1639 – Paris 1689) Atelier

Jacob Ferdinand Voet (Antwerp 1639 – Paris 1689)
Atelier
Portrait of the young Ortensia Mancini, Duchess of La Meilleraye (Rome 1646 – Chelsea 1699)

oil painting on canvas
75 x 61 cm. – fine frame in gilded and lacquered double frame 105 x 61 cm.

The beautiful painting proposed, depicting the young and attractive duchess Ortensia Mancini, is part of the refined portraiture of Jacob Ferdinand Voet (Antwerp 1639 – Paris 1689); of Flemish origins, the painter achieved enormous success among the aristocratic families of Rome - where he stayed from 1663 to 1679 - thanks to the famous series of portraits commissioned from him by Cardinal Flavio Chigi, depicting the most enchanting women of the time, and today preserved in the Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia.

The paintings became so popular that the artist was repeatedly asked to reproduce replicas and similar versions: that of the "cabinet des dames" therefore constituted one of the Roman fashions of the 17th century, thus justifying the large quantity of female portraits attributable to his workshop that gravitate on the market.

Voet showed off in his portraits a peculiar softness and grace in the rendering of the complexions, a subtle voluptuousness in the description of the lips, entrusted to small brushstrokes of red, a sense of calm fixity in the pose, all characteristics which are also immediately reflected in the work in question .

Our young portrait, Ortensia Mancini, Duchess of La Meilleraye (Rome 1646 – Chelsea 1699), was the favorite niece of Cardinal Giulio Mazarin, first advisor to the young King of France Louis XIV, and lover of Charles II, King of England, Scotland and Ireland. She was the fourth of the five famous Mancini sisters (along with Laura, Olimpia, Maria, Maria Anne) and she often posed for Voet.

Among the many works we can remember the Portrait of Ortensia Mancini in the Louvre, https://www.wga.hu/html_m/v/voet/mancini4.html and of course the one in Palazzo Chigi.

The painting, in particular, is a derivation of the canvas depicting 'Maria Mancini reads the fate of her sister Ortensia', created by the painter around 1661 and now kept in the English Royal Collections of Windsor Castle [1].
Link: https://www.rct.uk/collection/404067/hortense-mancini-duchesse-de-mazarin-1646-99-and-her-sister-mar…

In this work we see the two Mancini sisters, portrayed half-length, with Ortensia shot at just fifteen years old, intent on having her hand read by Maria. She is dressed simply, with a soft and white dress that leaves her shoulders uncovered and a red cloak that she holds gracefully, without accessories or sumptuous jewelry. Her beauty inherent in her young age is the true protagonist of the canvas.

[1] Jacob Ferdinand Voet, Maria Mancini reads the fortune to her sister Ortensia, Windsor Castle

The painting is completed by a wonderful gilded and lacquered wooden frame, richly worked in a double frame.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

In case of purchase of the work by non-Italian customers it will be necessary to obtain an export permit which requires approximately 10/20 days, our gallery will take care of the entire phase until obtaining it. All costs of this operation are included.

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