Known as “La Belle Juliette”, Jeanne-Françoise Julie Adelaïde Récamier (1777-1849) boasted not just beauty, but great literary and artistic talent, and political spirit. Her salon was a cornerstone of intellectual circles from the start of the French Consulate right through until the last days of the July Monarchy.
François Gérard, Portrait of Juliette Récamier, 1802-1805, oil on canvas, 257 x 183 cm/101.1 x 72 in, Musée de Carnavalet, Paris.
© CC
At the age of 15, she married Jacques Récamier, an affluent banker more than 30 years her senior. Just before their marriage, he wrote to a friend: “I am not in love with her, but I feel for her a genuine and tender attachment, which convinces me that this interesting creature will be a partner.” Their marriage was never consummated. In fact, Jacques Récamier was rumored to be her true father, who married to make her his heir. After all, he admitted to having felt more romantic feelings for his mother-in-law…
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