Portrait of Marie de Rabutin-ChantalClaude Lefèbvre

Claude Lefèbvre, a prominent 17th-century French portraitist, captures Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sévigné, in mourning attire, reflecting her status as a widow at 25. Known for her lively and insightful letters, especially to her daughter, Madame de Sévigné offers a vivid portrayal of 17th-century French society. Her correspondence, first published in 1725, is a cornerstone of French literature, offering rich insights into the era’s social dynamics.