Portret van Marie Amélie van Bourbon-Sicilië 1831

Henri Grevedon created this portrait of Marie Amélie of Bourbon-Sicily as a lithograph. During the 19th century, lithography democratized image production, making art more accessible, but also served the elite by producing portraits like this one, reinforcing social hierarchies. Marie Amélie, as Queen of the French, navigated a tumultuous period in French history. As a woman in power, her identity was complex, shaped by both her royal lineage and the expectations of her gender. Her marriage to Louis-Philippe was intended to stabilize the monarchy, yet the revolution of 1848 forced her into exile. This portrait captures Marie Amélie in her royal finery, but what does it conceal? What were her personal experiences as a queen and a woman during a period of immense social upheaval? This artwork is more than just a depiction of royalty; it is a testament to the complex interplay of identity, gender, and power.