BARONESS FRANZISKA VON GISE, NÉE BERTRAND DE ST. REMY DE LA PEROUSE, FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM
Currently in storage
About this object
Born in Chambéry, France in 1798, Baroness Franziska von Gise, née Bertrand de St. Remy de la Perouse (1798-1877), was descended from ancient Savoyard nobility. Little is known of her youth, but she and her family appear to have immigrated to Germany around the turn of the 19th century due to the French Revolution. Franziska married Friedrich August von Gise, a Bavarian diplomat (and later politician), in 1815 and gave birth to six children. When her husband was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Russian court in 1824, they relocated to St. Petersburg. Franziska became well acquainted with Eleanor and Maria Middleton while living in the city. In late 1831 her husband was recalled to accept a position in Bavaria’s Ministry of the Royal Household and Foreign Affairs. Franziska and her family therefore resettled in its capital, Munich. She subsequently served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Therese as well as her successor, Queen Marie. Franziska died in that city in 1877.
The oval half-length portrait presents Baroness Franziska von Gise with her body facing partly right, her eyes looking slightly left, against a background of blue sky with grey clouds. Her brown hair is elaborately styled in an Apollo knot and interwoven with a pink ribbon. She is dressed in a black dress with gold accents along the neckline and shoulders and white puffed sleeves. Her left shoulder is partly covered with a red shawl. Her only jewelry is a pair of gold pendant earrings and a beaded chain with a cross pendant.
- Object name:
- BARONESS FRANZISKA VON GISE, NÉE BERTRAND DE ST. REMY DE LA PEROUSE, FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM
- Made from:
- Watercolor on paper
- Date made:
- 1824-1831
- Size:
- H. 5 3/4 in., W. 4 1/2 in.
Detailed information for this item
- Catalog number:
- 52.39.41
- Signature marks:
- Inscription Baronne de Gise, née de la Pérouse Bottom of page In cursive
- Credit line:
- Museum Purchase, 2004