ISABELLA II: (1830-1904) Queen of Spain 1833-68, deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1868, formally abdicating two years later. Vintage signed 5.5 x 8.5 cabinet photograph of the former Queen standing in a full-length pose, in later life, wearing plain black mourning clothes and holding a walking cane in one hand. Signed in fountain pen ink to a light area at the foot of the image, with a three line inscription in French, 'A mon excellente amie Duchesse de Luynes La Rochefoucauld, souvenir tres affectueux, Isabelle de Bourbon'. Some light age wear and a few minor smudges to the inscription and signature, otherwise VG

 

Simone Louise Laure de Crussol d'Uzes (1870-1946) Duchess of Luynes, wife of Honore d'Albert de Luynes (1868-1924)

 

The present photograph almost certainly dates from around April 1902 when Isabella II's husband, Francisco de Asis, Duke of Cadiz (1822-1902), King consort of Spain, had died. Married in 1846, the couple had separated by the time that their son, King Alfonso XII, was restored to the Spanish throne in 1874, however the separation was amicable and the two remained friends. Isabella was present at Francisco's deathbed.