The Children of France
Because I am a sheep, here is a lovely art post featuring all of her children! Starting of course with the picture that has the most of her children in it with her
I will start with the images that there is no debate on as to who they are (Since there is a lot of debate about whether some are Charles or Joseph, or they are just labeled as Dauphin of France)
First is Marie-Therese Charlotte, Madame Royale. Nicknamed Mousseline la Serieuse by her mother, she was the eldest child of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI, born over seven years into their marriage. Her mother was happy with the birth of a daughter, saying that Therese would be her friend, and a boy would have belonged to France, and her father spoiled her terribly.
Next is the long awaited heir to the throne, the first Dauphin Louis Joseph Xavier Francois. He was a very sweet tempered child, who was said to have been wise beyond his years and very brave throughout many illnesses. He also greatly resembled his mother with his slender build and blue eyes.
These are of the couples' second son, Louis Charles, the titular King Louis XVII. He was very different from his elder brother, both physically and the way he acted. Marie-Antoinette wrote that he was "A peasant child, big, fresh faced and fat", and nicknamed him Chou D'Amour. He was a very mischevious, yet lovable child.
The last of the children is Sophie Helene Beatrice, who did not even live to be a year old. A big baby, she was displayed in the first picture in the cradle, but had to be painted out after her death. Marie-Antoinette is said to have said, upon being told that she couldn't have been overly attached because Sophie was so young when she died "Don't forget, she would have been my friend".
The following is often said to be Charles, but many also think it could be Joseph due to the slender build.
I have seen this one labelled as both Charles and Sophie
Louis XVI holding Therese, with Marie-Antoinette looking on
Here is a picture of Marie-Therese and Joseph
A family group, after the birth of the Dauphin Joseph
And finally, here are a few pictures of Marie-Antoinette with Therese and Joseph
I will start with the images that there is no debate on as to who they are (Since there is a lot of debate about whether some are Charles or Joseph, or they are just labeled as Dauphin of France)
First is Marie-Therese Charlotte, Madame Royale. Nicknamed Mousseline la Serieuse by her mother, she was the eldest child of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI, born over seven years into their marriage. Her mother was happy with the birth of a daughter, saying that Therese would be her friend, and a boy would have belonged to France, and her father spoiled her terribly.
Next is the long awaited heir to the throne, the first Dauphin Louis Joseph Xavier Francois. He was a very sweet tempered child, who was said to have been wise beyond his years and very brave throughout many illnesses. He also greatly resembled his mother with his slender build and blue eyes.
These are of the couples' second son, Louis Charles, the titular King Louis XVII. He was very different from his elder brother, both physically and the way he acted. Marie-Antoinette wrote that he was "A peasant child, big, fresh faced and fat", and nicknamed him Chou D'Amour. He was a very mischevious, yet lovable child.
The last of the children is Sophie Helene Beatrice, who did not even live to be a year old. A big baby, she was displayed in the first picture in the cradle, but had to be painted out after her death. Marie-Antoinette is said to have said, upon being told that she couldn't have been overly attached because Sophie was so young when she died "Don't forget, she would have been my friend".
The following is often said to be Charles, but many also think it could be Joseph due to the slender build.
I have seen this one labelled as both Charles and Sophie
Louis XVI holding Therese, with Marie-Antoinette looking on
Here is a picture of Marie-Therese and Joseph
A family group, after the birth of the Dauphin Joseph
And finally, here are a few pictures of Marie-Antoinette with Therese and Joseph