Peter the Great Visiting the Marquise de Maintenon in 1717
1887
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Location in museum
The Mikhailovsky Palace
Open the panorama of the hall in the virtual tour
Room 18. Historical Painting. V. Schwartz, P. Chistyakov, V. Jacobi - Period Late 19th century
- CategoryHistory Painting
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Gorski painted this picture in Paris to a commission from Emperor Alexander III, and it shows an event from Peter the Great’s stay in the French capital during his second journey abroad in 1717. While seeing the city’s sights Peter visited a school for girls set up by the famous Françoise d’Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon, the morganatic wife of Louis XIV. After asking about lessons and looking at the classrooms in this model educational establishment the Tsar decided to go and see Mme de Maintenon herself, as for him she was a living embodiment of the grand siècle of Louis XIV, whom Peter venerated. Mme de Maintenon was frightened of meeting the ruler of unknown and savage Muscovy, so she said that she was ill. Peter was not put off by the circumstances, went without permission into the room where she was, lifted up the curtains round the bed, looked at the allegedly sick person and then left without saying a word.