author
marquise de Jeanne Antoinette Poisson Pompadour
1721–1764
A brilliant presence at the court of Louis XV, she became far more than a royal favorite. Her life opens a window onto power, art, and ambition in eighteenth-century France.
2 Audiobooks
Memoirs of the Marchioness of Pompadour (vol. 1 of 2)
by marquise de Jeanne Antoinette Poisson Pompadour
Memoirs of the Marchioness of Pompadour (vol. 2 of 2)
by marquise de Jeanne Antoinette Poisson Pompadour
About the author
Born in Paris on December 29, 1721, Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson rose from a non-noble background to become Madame de Pompadour, the Marquise de Pompadour. She was introduced at the French court in 1745 and became the official mistress of King Louis XV, but her importance lasted well beyond their romantic relationship.
She remained a trusted figure at court until her death in 1764, taking part in the cultural and political life around the king. Modern accounts consistently describe her as a major patron of the arts and letters, closely linked with the elegance and artistic taste of the French Rococo period.
What makes her story enduring is the range of her influence. She was remembered not only for her place at Versailles, but also for her intelligence, social skill, and support for artists, writers, and building projects that helped shape the image of Louis XV's France.