“Of An Orphan Girl”: Air

Description

“Of An Orphan Girl”

Under the patronage of marquise de Montespan, it was at the convent of the Filles de Saint-Joseph in Paris, where orphan girls were educated in the art of needlepoint. The marquise de Montespan was the mistress of Louis XIV. It is likely, she was the one who initiated a number of royal embroidery projects for use at Versailles: Hangings depicting herself, the king (as Jupiter, holding a thunderbolt and a shield emblazoned with the head of the Gorgon Medusa) and six of their children as deities. This happened about the time the king developed affections for his next mistress-Madame de Montespan- whom he was to marry two years later.

The prints for our four “Of An Orphan Girl” bags are based on the central scene of four needlepoints. They represent spring and summer, fire and air, and were part of a larger set that must also have included the two missing seasons and elements. Instead of focusing on the nobility depicted, we’d like to focus on the girls who made them in the title.

The designs are believed to be of Charles Le Brun (1619–1690) who is related to the husband of one of our featured ‘Female Artists’ Élisabeth Vigée-Le Brun.

Specifications

• 100% spun polyester fabric
• Bag 15″ x 15″ (38.1cm x 38.1cm)
• Capacity – 2.6 US gal (10l)
• Maximum weight limit – 44lbs (20kg)
• Dual handles 100% natural cotton bull denim
• Handle length 11.8″ (30 cm), width 1″ (2.5cm)
• The handles can slightly differ depending on the fulfillment location