Versailles acquires rare portrait of Grande Mademoiselle

The Palace of Versailles has acquired a rare portrait of Anne Marie Louise of Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier, also known as Grande Mademoiselle.

The portrait was done by Simon Vouet and is part of a set of pastel portraits of court figures at the request of King Louis XIII. It is one of the first known portraits of Anne Marie Louise of Orléans, and she is around eight years old.

Anne Marie Louise of Orléans was the daughter of Gaston, Duke of Orléans and Marie of Bourbon, Duchess of Montpensier, making her a first cousin of King Louis XIV. Her mother died a few days after her birth, making her one of the richest heiresses in France.