Presumed Portrait of Miss White (1838). Joseph-Désiré Court (French, 1797-1865).
Presumed Portrait of Miss White (1838). Joseph-Désiré Court (French, 1797-1865). Oil on canvas.It is thought that the portrait, referred to in the 1838 Salon catalogue as Portrait of Miss W, may perhaps be of the daughter of Louis-Philippe’s trusted valet, George White. There was a ‘Mademoiselle White’ in service during the 1830s as a chambermaid to Adélaïde d’Orléans, Louis Philippe’s sister and it would not have been uncommon for the child of a trusted servant to gain employment in the household of another member of the royal family. It is also known that George had an eye for art, purchasing works on behalf of Louis-Philippe on a number of occasions. Although this portrait may seem grand for a servant, it perhaps shows both the esteem with which the family was held within the Royal Household and also George’s connections within the artistic fraternity. Court’s extended activity at Versailles during the July monarchy must have brought the two of them to an acquaintance with each other. -- source link
#portrait#miss white#french