Comtesse de Montalembert
(1833-1914)

An inked inscription verso in a fine period hand identifies the sitter as ‘Marie de Choiseul-Praslin, comtesse de Montalembert.’

This is probably Marie Marthe de Choiseul-Praslin, daughter of the 5th duc de Choiseul-Praslin. Born in Paris on 10 July 1833, on 3 September 1852 she married Artus de Montalembert d’Essé, subsequently marquis de Montalembert d’Essé. The couple had three children but later separated. A passionate horseman, her husband dissipated a large part of his fortune, most notably at the end of his life with one of his mistresses.

The marquise de Montalembert died at Alassio [Genova] on 3 February 1914, aged 80.