The Princesse de Lamballe was one of the first people Marie Antoinette really talked to at Versailles, and she was somewhat of a role model for her, as I understand. Lamballe was said to be a beauty, aside from being kind and well-liked. She was one of Marie's most devoted friends. While Marie was in prison, the revolutionaries cut off the princess's head, put it on a pike, and tried to show it to Marie through her window. how awful that must have been...

Does anyone know why Lamballe nowadys has the reputation of being an emptyheaded and dimwid woman?? I remember reading about her years ago, and many places have I read this nonsense. I am currently re-reading the Secret Memoirs of her, and I find nothing like this at all... On the contrary, she seems very intelligent and knowledgable. And further more - I couldn't imagine MA having a birdbrain for such a dear friend. I find it scandalous that people have been writing so about her.

Possibly because she was a bit high-strung, and fainted a lot. She was a little neurotic. But a very intelligent, accomplished lady.

Who kept insisting on this ? Isn't it Oberkirch ? I am afraid the baronne did not like Mme de Lamballe that much !

I have wondered if some people see her this way because she chose to return to France to be near MA in the hard times. But that has nothing to do with stupidity - that is courage and a heard full of love...

No, it anoys me... But I can't remember. I just know that I have read it several times...

No it was not la baronne, I thought it was Madame Campan. But maybe not. I read about her hypersensitivity in several places, and how she fainted at the sight of a dead bird. She was upset about her husband, and how he died. This is why MA took pity on her and took her sleigh-riding, to get her out more.

[quote="Therese"]Possibly because she was a bit high-strung, and fainted a lot. She was a little neurotic. But a very intelligent, accomplished lady.[/quote]

Yes, that might be it, Therese

But didn't women often faint in those days? Or is that only the way people now a days think about the women aristocrazy in the 18th century? With a kind of prejudice?

Yes, women often fainted if their stays were too tight.

Yes, like Therese said, there was a practical reason for all this fainting - lace someone up too tightly and they will not be able to breathe for lack of oxygen and will eventually keel over!

The death of the princesse de Lamballe at the door of de la Force in the 3rd September 1792, by Léon-Maxime Faivre.

WHat do you think about the portait? I love it, but it is also so sad

I agree with you dear Jules de Polignac

It is realistic but veru hard...

And that's before they tore her body to bits with particular attention to her genital area....the dogs.

...thats so horrible....those monsters!!