MARQUISE DE POMPADOUR

Marquise de Pompadour (1721-1746) was a French salonist.

She was mistress of Louis XV of France and was patron of the arts.

She was born in Paris; celebrated for her beauty and wit; throwing herself, though a married woman, in the king's way, she took his fancy, and was installed at Versailles; for 20 years exercised an influence both over him and the affairs of the kingdom, to the corruption and ruin of both, and the exasperation of the nation; she was preceded as mistress of Louis by La Châteroux, and succeeded by Du Barri.