Rare Marie Leszczynska Portrait Returns to France: A Gift to Bayonne Museum

Bayonne, France – A recently donated portrait of Marie Leszczyńska, Queen of France during the reign of Louis XV, has become the first major acquisition for the Musée Bonnat-Helleu since its reopening. The painting, a copy of a work originally by Jean-Marc Nattier, offers a unique glimpse into the queen’s public image and the diplomatic strategies employed by the French court.

The original portrait, created by Nattier – a renowned artist specializing in depictions of the French nobility – remains on display at the Palace of Versailles. The newly acquired piece is one of five known copies commissioned by Nattier’s workshop, and was purchased in 2024 by the Laborde Noguez de Yturbe family, a Basque family originating from Ustaritz, who then generously donated it to the Bayonne museum. Museum director Barthélemy Etchegoyen-Glama lauded the family’s generosity, emphasizing the significance of the acquisition for the institution’s collection.

What sets this portrait apart is its depiction of the queen in “town dress,” eschewing the traditional regal attire and symbols of sovereignty. Conservator Hélène Ferron notes that only the blue drapery behind the queen lends a sense of majesty to the background. The attention to detail, particularly the black mantilla adorned with lace, highlights a “noble simplicity” intended to present a more approachable and intimate image of the monarchy. This marked a departure from previous royal portraiture.

Marie Leszczyńska, daughter of the deposed King of Poland, Stanislaus I Leszczyński, married Louis XV in 1725 through the influence of the Duke of Bourbon. Her marriage was not initially considered strategically advantageous by the French court, given her family’s non-royal lineage. However, her ability to produce heirs was a primary concern for the French monarchy, as Louis XV was the last descendant of Louis XIV. She ultimately gave birth to ten children, though six died young.

The portrait’s history reveals a fascinating insight into the queen’s personality and her relationships. While the original painting depicts Marie Leszczyńska with her arm casually resting on a Bible, the Bayonne copy shows her leaning on a book of philosophy. This subtle alteration wasn’t accidental. Upon receiving positive feedback on the original portrait, the queen commissioned multiple copies to gift to her friends. According to museum director Ferron, presenting a portrait was a common diplomatic practice and a demonstration of friendship during that era.

The “Bayonne version” was specifically intended for Charles-Jean-François Hénault, president of the First Chamber of Inquiries at the Parliament of Paris. Ferron describes Hénault as a prominent intellectual of the Enlightenment and a close confidant of the queen. By requesting the change to a philosophical text, Marie Leszczyńska underscored the intellectual connection she shared with Hénault and signaled her support for the arts, and literature.

Marie Leszczyńska’s reign, lasting from 1725 to 1768, was the longest of any queen in French history – a total of 42 years and 9 months. Despite being largely excluded from serious political affairs and initially viewed with some skepticism by the court, she became a popular figure among the French people due to her charitable work and her introduction of Polish customs to Versailles. She also founded a convent in Versailles dedicated to the education of poor girls and oversaw the moral and religious education of her son, the Dauphin.

The acquisition of this portrait is particularly noteworthy given the potential for such artworks to have been dispersed during the French Revolution. Experts suggest that many portraits from Versailles may have been looted during this period and remain unaccounted for, hidden away in private collections. The rediscovery and donation of this copy offer a valuable opportunity to study the queen’s image and the artistic practices of the 18th century.

While often kept at a distance from political power, Marie Leszczyńska navigated the complexities of the French court with dignity and maintained a strict adherence to royal etiquette. She was a cultivated woman who fulfilled her royal duties and, despite facing personal challenges – including her husband’s infidelity – remained a respected figure until her death. The portrait now on display in Bayonne provides a compelling visual representation of this complex and influential queen.