A Portrait of a Young Woman in a Ruffled Collar

Daniel Dumonstier (Paris 1574–1646 Paris) was from a famous family of sixteenth and seventeenth century artists, painters and draughtsmen who signed Dumonstier. They were highly skilled and sought after by their contemporaries from 1550 on, and they produced a multitude of masterpieces. Their portraits drawn or in pastel were very French, and their works have become rare on the market. Daniel has retained his celebrity, but most of the rest of the family’s works have not survived. Perhaps some at the Museé du Louvre are by Etienne (Daniel’s uncle), but they are currently listed as anonymous.
Daniel’s artistic career was dedicated to portraits under the reigns of Henry IV and Louis XII. He was the most renowned, brilliant, and finest artist of the family. His portrait drawings were usually done with black and red crayon or sanguine, or sometimes with pastel.
His portrait in the catalogue of the exhibition dedicated to him at the Museé de Conde, (March 22 – June 26, 2006) has a portrait of Gabrielle d’Estrées, circa 1598, wearing a similar ruff as in our drawing. The exhibitions included a portrait of a lady of quality, said to be the Princess Palatine, circa 1610, which has a similar posture to our drawing. The expression of the Marquis de Villeroy of 1616 has the same uncanny insight into the character of the sitter that is seen in our drawing.
His personality was highly reputed, too. He spoke Spanish and Italian, possessed a prodigious memory and gallant and humorous repartee, and was known to be frank and satirical. He had a renowned library and cabinet of curiosities. He was also known for his love of music.
Daniel was friendly with all the celebrities and nobles of his time, many of whom came to pose for him. He was the appointed painter and Valet de Chambre of King Louis XIII, who granted him land and titles.
Marie de’ Medici wrote of him: “Notre cher et bien-aimé Daniel Du Monstier, l’un de nos pietres ordinaries.” A contemporary wrote that he was, “le pius excellent crayonneur de l’Europe.”
In May 1602, Daniel married Geneviève Balifrè, from whom he had eight daughters and three sons. Etienne, the younger son, and Nicolas both became artists. After the death of his wife, Daniel remarried (in 1630) Françoise Lesèque, with whom he had three additional sons and one daughter.