The Sobieskis and Stuarts. Portraits of Clementina Sobieska, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, Prince Henry Benedict Stuart, 1st half of the 18th century

Portrait of Clementina Sobieska
engraved by Pierre-Imbert Drevet, after Antonio David (1719)
copperplate on paper, Paris, 1720
private collection

Portrait of Prince Charles Edward Stuart
engraved by Gilles Edme Petit, after Domenico Duprà (1740)
copperplate on paper, Paris 1740–1743
private collection

Portrait of Prince Henry Benedict Stuart
engraved by Gilles Edme Petit, after Domenico Duprà (1740)
copperplate on paper, Paris 1740–1743 
private collection

The engravings show Queen Clementina and her sons, Prince Charles Edward (1720–1788) and Prince Henry Benedict (1725–1807).

The portrait of Clementina is after an original by Antonio David (1698–1737), the Stuart court painter from 1717 to 1735. It documents the early period of her marriage to James, shortly after she arrived in Rome, as indicated by her youthful features and joyful expression. She rests her right hand on a table with a closed crown, reminding us of her role as the wife of the claimant to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The Stuarts’ right to their royal titles was not questioned in Rome.

The portraits of the sons of the two princes are after originals by Domenico Duprà (1689–1770), who studied in Rome under Francesco Trevisani and then worked for the courts of the King of Portugal in Lisbon and of the King of Sardinia in Turin. All three original portraits were sent from Rome to be engraved in Paris. The inscription below Charles’ portrait states that the original belonged to Mr. d’Obryen. Daniel O’Brien was for many years King James’ agent in Paris. He joined the court in Rome in 1747 as one of the king’s ministers and was created Earl of Lismore.