18th Cent. Maria Leszczyńska, Queen Consort of France and Navarre.

Maria Leszczyńska

Maria Karolina Zofia Felicja Leszczyńska was born on 23 June 1703, in Breslau, Silesia. She was the daughter of Katarzyna Opalińska  (13 October 1680 - 19 March 1747) and Stanislas Leszczynski (20 October 1677 - 23 January 1766). Her maternal grandparents were Zofia Czarnkowska and Jan Karol Opaliński. Her paternal grandparents were Anna Katarzyna Jablonowska and Rafal Leszczyński. Maria's parents were married on 10 May 1698, in Kraków. She had a elder sister, Anna Leszczyńska born in 1699. In 1704, her father, Stanislas Leszczynski was placed on the Throne of Poland when Charles XII, King of Sweden gained this territory in a military campaign. In 1709, Stanislas Leszczynski lost the Throne when Swedish forces left him without military support. By 1725, the family was living in Weissembourg, in Alsace. Maria Leszczyńska was betrothed to Louis XV, King of France and Navarre ( 15 February 1710 - 10 May 1774). He was the son of Marie-Adélaïde of Savoy (6 December 1685 - 12 February 1712) and Louis, Duc de Bourgogne. Maria Leszczyńska and Louis XV were married by proxy on 15 August 1725, at Strasbourg, before they were married in person on 5 September 1725, at Fontainebleau. The couple had ten children.

The Children of Maria Leszczyńska and Louis XV:
Marie-Louise-Elisabeth de France (14 August 1727 - 6 December 1759)
Anne-Henriette de France (14 August 1727 - 10 February 1752)

Marie-Louise de France (28 July 1728 - 19 February 1733)
Louis, Dauphin de France (4 September 1729 - 20 December 1765)
Philippe de France (30 August 1730 - 17 April 1733)
Marie Adélaïde de France (23 March 1732 - 27 February 1800)
Victoire Louise Marie Thérèse de France (11 May 1733 - 7 June 1799)
Sophie Philippine Élisabeth Justine de France (27 July 1734 - 3 March 1782)
Stillborn Child (28 March 1735 - 28 March 1735)
Thérèse-Félicité de France (16 May 1736 - 28 September 1744)
Louise-Marie de France (15 July 1737 - 23 December 1787)

The Queen embroided, painted, played the guitar and harpsichord. Maria Leszczyńska met Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) and popularised the Polish dress, Robe a la Polonaise. Maria Leszczyńska was painted by several artists, including the artist, Jean-Marc Nattier (1685-1766). In September 1745, the King took as his maîtresse en titre, Jeanne Antoinette Poisson (1721-1764). Her son, Louis, Dauphin de France married Infanta Maria Teresa Antonia Rafaela of Spain (11 June 1726 - 22 July 1746). She was the daughter of Elisabeth of Parma, Queen Consort of Spain (22 October 1692 - 11 July 1766) and Philip V, King of Spain (19 December 1683 - 9 July 1746). Maria Teresa died three days after giving birth to a daughter, Marie-Thérèse de France (19 July 1746 - 27 April 1748). 

 Maria Leszczyńska, Queen Consort of France and Navarre
by Jean-Marc Nattier
Château de Versailles

Maria Leszczyńska, Queen Consort of France and Navarre

by Carle van Loo

1747
 Château de Versailles

Her son, Louis, Dauphin de France married his second wife Princess Marie Josèphe of Saxony (4 November 1731 - 13 March 1767) on 9 February 1747. She was the daughter of Maria Josepha of Austria (8 December 1699 - 17 November 1757) and Frederick Augustus II, Prince Elector of Saxony and King of Poland (17 October 1696 - 5 October 1763). Her mother, Katarzyna Opalińska  died 19 March 1747, in Lunéville, France. She was buried in Église Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours, Nancy. In 1748, her daughter, Madame Victoire returned from the Abbey to Court. Madame du Pompadour died on 15 April 1764, in Paris, France. Her son, Louis died of consumption on 20 December 1765, at Fontainebleau. Her father, Stanislaw Leszczyński died on 23 January 1766, in Lunéville, France. He was buried at Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours in Nancy, France. He was later removed to Wawel, Kraków, in Poland. Maria Leszczyńska died aged 65, on 24 June 1768, at Versailles, France. Maria was known as the "Bonne Reine Marie" (Good Queen Marie). Louis XV died of smallpox on 10 May 1774, at Versailles, France. He was succeeded by his grandson, as Louis XVI with his wife, Marie Antoinette as his Consort.