COUNTESS MARIE-CHARLOTTE-ALBERTINE DE LA FERRONNAYS, NÉE DU BOUCHET DE SOURCHES DE MONTSOREAU, FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM

Creator(s): Unknown

Currently in storage

About this object

Countess Marie-Charlotte-Albertine de la Ferronnays, née du Bouchet de Sourches de Montsoreau (1782-1848), was born into one of France’s most illustrious aristocratic families. Her father, the Count de Montsoreau, was a high-ranking army officer and her mother, governess to the children of the Duc de Berry. Marie and her sister therefore spent their childhood surrounded by the luxuries and privileges of the French court. The events of the French Revolution caused Marie and her family to immigrate to England. She married Count Pierre Louis Auguste de la Ferronnays, also of noble blood, in 1802 and gave birth to eleven children, including daughter Pauline, who is also featured in the Middleton Album (52.39.5).. A dispute with the Duc de Berry after their return to France led to her husband’s appointment as Minister of Denmark in 1817 and Ambassador to Russia in 1819. Marie became a well-regarded hostess in the Russian capital—according to Lady Anne Disbrowe, she helped “enliven the dullness of Petersburg and the diplomatic meetings.” Eleanor Middleton’s diary likewise records the many soirees, dinners, and dances her family attended at the de la Ferronnays’ home. The Count’s promotion to French Minister of Foreign Affairs and Marie’s poor health caused them to resettle in Paris in 1827. They moved to Italy a year later and remained there until the Count’s death in 1842. Marie lived with Pauline and her husband in Baden, Germany until her own death in 1848.

The oval bust-length portrait features Countess Marie-Charlotte-Albertine de la Ferronnays facing partly right, eyes looking forward, against a brown background. She wears a bright red dress, a fur wrap around her shoulders, a pearl necklace, and pearl drop earrings. Her dark brown ringlets peek out from beneath a light brown turban with red and blue floral trim.

Object name:

COUNTESS MARIE-CHARLOTTE-ALBERTINE DE LA FERRONNAYS, NÉE DU BOUCHET DE SOURCHES DE MONTSOREAU, FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM

Made from:

Watercolor and gouache on paper

Made in:

Saint Petersburg, Russia

Date made:

1825-1827

Size:

H. 5 3/4 in., W. 4 1/2 in.

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

52.39.4

Signature marks:

inscription Comtesse de la Ferronnays / née Comtesse de Monterraux Bottom of page In cursive

Credit line:

Museum Purchase, 2004