Atelier de Franz-Xaver Winterhalter

A few areas appear to have wears scattered on the surface, especially in the upper part of the composition, with slight matter losses, and small blisters. Folding marks appear on the lower side of the frame, horizontally, and along the left side of the canvas, vertically. Under UV light, a certain number of repaints appear in the sky, in the background, on the model's scarf, on her face and on her left hand. Smaller repaints appear on the model's dress. The canvas seems to have been laid-down on plywood. A picture of the back before the process shows an inscription "ORLéANS, Eugène-Adélaïde-Louise d') Princesse d'Orléans/ Fille de Louis-Philippe-Joseph d'Orléans, Duc d'Orléans, et de Louis-Marie-Adélaïde de Bourbon. / Née le 23 Août 1777./ Par Mr F. Winterhalter, en 1845"
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

La princesse Eugène-Adélaïde-Louise d' Orléans, dite Madame Adélaïde (1777-1847), était la soeur cadette de Louis-Philippe. Elle fut élevée comme son frère par Madame de Genlis dans les idées philosophiques. A la Révolution elle s'exila en Suisse alors que son père, Philippe Egalité, avait été guillotiné et que sa mère et ses frères étaient incarcérés. Elle se réfugia ensuite en Allemagne puis à Barcelone où elle rejoignit sa mère Marie-Adélaïde de Bourbon. Femme de tête, elle exerçait un grand ascendant sur Louis-Philippe et était sa meilleure conseillère. Lors de la Restauration, elle contribua à rallier autour de lui les hommes les plus distingués du parti libéral et à le décider d'accepter la couronne en 1830.

La composition originale, exécutée en 1842 et mesurant 215 x 140cm, fut commandée par Louis-Philippe en 1841. Elle est aujourd'hui conservée au musée de Versailles. Il en existe plusieurs répliques, exécutées en collaboration avec l'atelier, notamment celle conservée au château d'Eu datée 1845, et celle conservée au musée de Compiègne.

Louis-Philippe's youngest sister, Madame Adélaïde, was brought up by Madame de Genlis, along with her brothers. She headed towards Switzerland at the Revolution. She then went to Germany and Barcelona where she was reunited with her mother, Marie-Adélaïde de Bourbon. Most trusted by her brother, and as his best advisor, she helped him being surrounded by the most distinguished men in the liberal party, and advised him to accept the crown in 1830.
The original composition is now kept in the Versailles Museum. There are two replicas: one kept at the Compiègne museum and the other at the Eu castle.