Portret van Maria Carolina Bourbon-Sicilië, hertogin van Berry 1818 - 1854

This is Nicolas Maurin's portrait of Maria Carolina, Duchess of Berry. It was created in the first half of the 19th century using lithography, a relatively new medium at the time. Maria Carolina was a member of the Bourbon family. After the French Revolution, the Bourbon monarchy was restored, and she married into the French royal family. As such, she was caught up in the political tensions of the time, between the old aristocracy and a new, more egalitarian society. This portrait can be seen as an attempt to solidify the image of the Duchess and the Bourbon monarchy. She is depicted with traditional symbols of wealth and status, like a jeweled tiara and pearl necklace. Yet, despite these traditional symbols, there is a softness to the portrait, which invites a more sympathetic view of the aristocracy. It reflects the balancing act that the Bourbon monarchy tried to strike to maintain power after the Revolution.