Marguerite de Montmorency, duchesse de Ventadour 1720 - 1760

Grégoire Huret created this engraving of Marguerite de Montmorency, duchesse de Ventadour. Born into the French aristocracy, Marguerite's life was shaped by the rigid social structures of 17th-century France. As a woman of high status, she navigated a world where her identity was largely defined by her family and marital connections. This portrait, with its elaborate heraldry, speaks to the importance of lineage and nobility in defining one's place in society. Yet, within these constraints, individuals like Marguerite found ways to exert influence and leave their mark. Her role as the royal governess to the future Louis XV afforded her a position of power and intimacy within the French court. Huret’s engraving captures both the grandeur and the subtle agency of a woman navigating the complexities of her time. The portrait invites us to consider the delicate balance between personal identity and social expectation, a tension that resonates even today.