Description
The painting "Valentine of Milan Mourning her Husband, the Duke of Orléans" by the artist Fleury-François Richard is a work of art that stands out for its artistic style, composition, color, and the story behind it. This work of original size of 55 x 43 cm is a sample of the neoclassical style that became popular in France in the second half of the 18th century.
The composition of the painting is impressive, with the figure of Valentine of Milan in the center, dressed in a black outfit and holding a wreath in her left hand. Her face is covered by a veil, which gives her an air of mystery and sadness. Around it, you can see elements that evoke death, such as a skull, an hourglass and an extinguished candle.
Color is another interesting aspect of this painting. The artist has used a dark and sober color palette to convey the pain and sadness felt by Valentine from Milan. Black, gray and white dominate the work, but there are also some touches of color in the flower crown held by the protagonist.
The story behind the painting is moving. Valentine of Milan married the Duke of Orléans, Louis I, in 1389. However, Louis was assassinated in 1407 during the Hundred Years' War. Valentine was devastated by the loss of her husband and commissioned this painting to commemorate his memory.
A little known aspect of this painting is that it was part of the collection of the famous British art collector, Sir Thomas Lawrence, in the 19th century. Lawrence was one of the leading art collectors of his time, and his collection included works by some of the greatest artists of the day.
In summary, the painting "Valentine of Milan Mourning her Husband, the Duke of Orléans" is an impressive work that stands out for its neoclassical style, composition, color and the story behind it. It is a moving display of a woman's grief at the loss of her husband and a testament to the talent of the artist Fleury-François Richard.