Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte, Duchess of Angoulême

Art Historical Context

This elegant color aquatint portrait, titled *Marie-Thérèse-, Duchess of Angoul*, captures the poised likeness of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette only surviving child. Created in 1795 Swiss engraver Christian von Mec after an original by French portraitist Antoine-François Sergent it reflects the turbulent aftermath of the French Revolution.-Thérèse-Charlotte known as Madame Royale, imprisonment in the Temple during the Reign of Terror; her release that year marked a turning point, as she entered exile and became a symbol of Bourbon restoration hopes. The print's medium—a color aquatint—showcases innovative late-18th-century techniques. Aquatint, an intaglio method using rosin dust for tonal effects, allowed Mechel to achieve soft, painterly hues and subtle shading, mimicking oil painting in print form. This made it ideal for disseminating royal imagery affordably across Europe amid political upheaval. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Widener Collection (Department CG-E), this work highlights portrait prints' role in preserving aristocratic identity during revolutionary chaos. Visitors will appreciate its blend of technical finesse and poignant historical resonance, evoking resilience in the face of radical change.