Mary, Queen of Scots, Separated from Her Faithful (1822)

Pierre Révoil: Mary, Queen of Scots, Separated from Her Faithful

The French have always felt a connection to Mary Queen of Scots (at least as indicated by her frequent portrayal by French artists) because 1) she was Catholic, and 2) she was married to a French king before he died at an early age. Her youthful life is now the subject of the fanciful (and wildly unhistorical, but fun) CW drama, Reign.

René d'Anjou at Palamède de Forbin (1820)

Pierre Révoil: René d'Anjou at Palamède de Forbin

Another painting in the "Troubadour" style. The painting was commissioned by Count Auguste de Forbin, the director of the royal museums and a friend of the artist. Forbin was particularly interested in this subject because King René's host, Palamède, was his ancestor.

King René (King of Sicily and cousin of French King Charles VI) traveling through his estates in Provence, spent the night in the château de La Barben. In the morning, before leaving his hosts, he testified that he was satisfied with their reception and traced on the door of the vestibule his portrait. Palamède threw himself at the feet of the King to thank him for this sign of favor.

The artist's dates were 1776-1842.