Portret van Marguerite Louise van Orléans c. 1647 - 1696

Adriaen Haelwegh created this print of Marguerite Louise d'Orléans, likely sometime in the mid-17th century. The print presents us with the image of a woman born into French royalty, but who became a pawn in the political game of marriage. The visual codes of dress and ornamentation, like the pearls, are the obvious signs of her status, but the Latin inscription, which refers to Marguerite Louise as the wife of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, is a key to understanding the print. This was a marriage of political convenience, designed to consolidate power. We can read about this moment in history in letters and diplomatic records. The print preserves her image for posterity, but also reminds us of the social conditions that shaped her life, and the institution of marriage that bound her.