An exquisite portrait of Princess Maria Luisa Albertina of Hesse-Darmstadt

(1766 Neustrelitz – 1852 same place) An oval portrait of Princess Maria Louise Albertine of Hesse-Darmstadt, also known as "Princess George." A finely drawn palace portrait of the Empire era in a blue Empire-style dress, her head wrapped in a delicate, white, transparent veil. Painted in 1802 in Neustrelitz, where the sitter lived at the court of her brother-in-law, Duke Charles II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1741–1816). Oil on canvas; on the reverse signed and dated 1802, inscription "Louise (...) Landgravine (/) George Hesse Darmstadt (/) Countess of Leiningen Broich," original inscription with dedication "To Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Leuchtenberg, Princess of Bavaria, Queen." 36 cm x 29 cm. Original frame. Princess Maria Louise Albertine of Hesse-Darmstadt (1729–1818), born Countess of Leiningen-Dagsburg-Falkenburg, was the heiress of the Lordship of Broich. In 1748 she married the brother of the reigning Landgrave Ludwig IX of Hesse-Darmstadt. Her granddaughter was later Queen Louise of Prussia (1776–1810), whom she raised. The dedication refers to her granddaughter Augusta Amalia Ludovika of Bavaria (1788–1851), daughter of King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria (1756–1825). In 1806 she married Eugène de Beauharnais (1781–1824), stepson of Emperor Napoleon I. From 1806 to 1814 she was Vice-Queen of Italy, and from 1817 Duchess of Leuchtenberg and Princess of Eichstätt. Provenance: Princess Maria Louise Albertine of Hesse-Darmstadt (1729–1818); Augusta Amalia Ludovika of Bavaria (1788–1851). Oil on canvas. Signed and dated 1803 with information about the sitter on the reverse, as well as the original inscription with dedication to her granddaughter. Original frame.