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AFTER SIR ANTHONY VAN DYKE
Portrait of Henrietta Maria, Queen Consort of England, Scotland and Ireland
Oil on canvas, 125 x 101cm
Henrietta Maria of France (1609-1669) was the youngest daughter of King Henry IV of France and his second wife, Marie de Medici.
In 1625 she married Charles I of England and they apparently enjoyed a close relationship even if the initial stages were made
somewhat difficult by her inability to speak, or write, the English language.
She was an unpopular Queen in England due to her Catholic faith, which marked her out as being different and potentially
dangerous. She immersed herself in national affairs as the English Civil War loomed and was compelled in 1644, to seek refuge
in France. King Charles was executed by Parliament in 1649 leaving Henrietta almost destitute. She returned to England following
the Restoration in October 1660, returning to France the following year. In 1662 she again came to England with her son Charles II
but suffered ill health, which she blamed on the damp British climate.
She died in 1669 and is buried at the Basilica of St. Denis, in Paris.
€ 5,000 - 8,000