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Core Record |
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| Title | Daughter of Louis XIV | |
| Collection | Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle | |
| Artist | French School | |
| Date Earliest | probably about 1643 | |
| Date Latest | probably about 1715 | |
| Description | In the seventeenth century, children's clothes were reductions of the costumes worn by their parents. This very young girl is therefore represented just as an adult would be. Her hairstyle is even similar to that of ladies of the time of Louis XIV. Even though the title of the painting states that she would be a daughter of Louis XIV, this is a very difficult fact to check for two reasons. First, Louis XIV had many children, both legitimate and illegitimate, and second, virtually all children look very much alike in paintings. The rose held by the girl can be a symbol of love, and, more strongly still, of the offerings made by a love which is pure. | |
| Current Accession Number | B.M.872 | |
| Former Accession Number | No. 394 | |
| Subject | portrait (unidentified girl) | |
| Measurements | 115 x 87.5 cm (estimate) | |
| Material | oil on canvas | |
| Acquisition Details | Bequeathed by the founders John and Joséphine Bowes 1885. | |
| Notes | This was listed as no. 394 in John Bowes' catalogue, as 'Portrait of one of the Daughters of Louis XIV with a white Dress and red Scarf, holding a Rose in her Hand, French School, seventeenth century'. The dates given correspond to the reign of Louis XIV. | |
| Rights Owner | The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham | |
| Author | Dr Maylis Hopewell-Curie | |