Miniature of the Infanta Luisa Fernanda (1832-1897), Duchess of Montpensier in the British Royal Collection. Leopold I, King of the Belgians, reported to Queen Victoria in 1846 that: 'The Infanta is evidently good looking … Her eyes seem … very lovely and she has fine teeth and hair. She is also very graceful … rather tall already and likely still to grow' (RA VIC/Y 73/14). She had matured by the time Queen Victoria saw her during her visit to England from 14 June to 2 July 1852: 'She is very Spanish looking, and there is much charm & beauty about her face, & manner – tho' she is a good deal altered & looks older than she is. She is very amiable & gentle & ready to do anything & pleased with everything' (RA VIC/Y 97/20). The Queen was delighted when she wore a mantilla, as in the present enamel: 'The Montpensiers came to see us … Fernanda looked very handsome in a Spanish Mantilla w h. she put on on purpose for me' (RA VIC/Y 97/21). Luisa Fernanda, daughter of Fernando VII of Spain, and of Maria Cristina of the Two-Sicilies, daughter of King Francis I of the Two Sicilies, married in 1846 Antoine, duc de Montpensier, fifth son of Louis-Philippe, King of the French. They had four sons and five daughters. Signed, dated and inscribed on the counter-enamel in black paint: Infanta Louisa Ferdinanda / Duchess of Montpensier / Simpson after F. Winterhalter / 1849
The image is a miniature portrait of a woman with dark hair, wearing a black and gray patterned headscarf, and a pink rose in her hair.
The image is a miniature portrait of a woman with dark hair, wearing a black and gray patterned headscarf, and a pink rose in her hair.