Portret van Maria Carolina Bourbon-Sicilië met haar twee kinderen 1829

This is Adolphe Alexandre Joseph Caron's portrait of Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Sicily with her two children. Maria Carolina’s story sits within a complex web of European royal families, intertwined with political power, war, and shifting national boundaries. As a woman of high status in the 19th century, her identity was largely defined by her role as a wife and mother, as we see here. The portrait offers us a glimpse into the domestic sphere of royalty. Yet, it also presents a carefully constructed image of dynastic power and maternal virtue, reflecting the expectations placed upon women of her rank. Consider for a moment the artist's choices here. The children are adorned in clothing that mirrors the fashions of the time, emphasizing their youth and innocence. What are the implications of the fallen flowers on the ground? What narratives do these details suggest about childhood, motherhood, and the burdens of lineage? This portrait invites us to reflect on the private lives of those in power, and the ways in which personal identity is shaped by political and social forces.