Simple Pleasures: Painting of Maria Sofia di Wittelsbach, Queen of the Two Sicilies

I was absolutely thrilled to see the latest addition to my friend’s painting collection — Maria Sofia di Wittelsbach, Queen of the Two Sicilies, visiting the soldiers at Gaeta. The canvas, inscribed “M. de Villefrance, 1862” in the lower left, is a striking oil on canvas (98 x 130 cm). Although no documented artist by that name is known, the inscription and date beautifully anchor the work in its historical context. In fact, Maria Sofia became legendary for her courage during the Siege of Gaeta (1860–61), when she stood beside her troops as the Bourbon stronghold faced the forces of Italian unification. This makes the painting an especially fascinating and remarkable addition to the collection!