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an old painting of a boy in armor with a bird in the background
ALEXANDRE LANDRE - SEMUR-EN-AUXOIS

48 - The circle of François de TROY (1645–1730)
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Estimate €4,000 - €6,000
Sale commission
Description
The circle of François de TROY (1645–1730) Portrait of Louis Auguste de Bourbon, Duke of Maine Oil on canvas. W_140 cm H_110 cm (Restorations and enlargements). Inscription in the top left-hand corner. This portrait follows the model established by François de Troy in 1692 for his portrait of Louis Auguste de Bourbon. The illegitimate son of Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan, he was brought up by Madame de Maintenon, whom he regarded as his mother. Granted the title of Duke of Maine in 1674, he appears to have been one of Louis XIV’s favourite children, and the king showered him with offices and honorary titles. Despite the decidedly martial nature of our painting, the Duke’s military career was a failure, despite the efforts devoted to his training, particularly under the guidance of Marshal de Luxembourg. In his later years, and following the tragic deaths that shook the court of Versailles between 1712 and 1715, Louis XIV decided to make his two legitimised sons—the Duke of Maine and the Count of Toulouse—potential candidates for the French throne. In doing so, Louis Auguste became a prince of the blood and second in the line of succession after the very young Duke of Anjou (the future Louis XV). Despite his own wishes and the position granted to the Duke of Maine by the old monarch’s will, the Duke of Maine was unable to hold his ground against the Duke of Orléans, and the will was annulled by the Parliament of Paris the very day after the king’s death. Difficult years followed, culminating in a conspiracy led by his wife, without his knowledge, with Philip V of Spain, in which he found himself implicated. Following this episode, he withdrew from political life and lived at his estate in Sceaux, where he died in 1736, aged 66. Our painting bears an inscription in the top right-hand corner referring to François-Henri Du Prat, Marquis de Nantouillet and commander of Queen Anne of Austria’s cavalry regiment. This later inscription most likely indicates a former provenance. Expert: Artéon consultancy – Expert: Artéon consultancy
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About the sale Collection of the Château de Villebourgeon & others
Auction location
Auction time 10/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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