Pompadour, Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson Le Normant d'Etioles, marquise de

(1721-1764)

   mistress of Louis XV, arts patron

   The influential favorite of King louis XV, known for her patronage of art and literature, Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, later the marquise de Pompadour, was born in Paris, the daughter of a financier. She married a government official, Charles-Guillaume Le Normant d'Etioles, and frequenting the leading salons, became acquainted with Bernard de fontenelle and voltaire. Becoming the king's mistress in 1745, she was soon installed at Versailles and was able to keep his friendship even through their later years by her ability to amuse and distract. The official favorite, she was more or less tolerated by the royal family but detested by the court, as she was not of aristocratic birth. She was the object of many cabals and plots. She was the patron of many artists who worked also on her several residences (Hôtel d'Evreux, the future Élysée Palace, La Celle, Bellevue, Champs). She influenced Louis XV in transferring the Sèvres porcelain works to Vincennes (1756) and in having her brother, Abel Poisson, marquis de Marigny, placed in charge of the building of fortifications (1751), in which capacity he proved to be a good administrator. She was a friend and sponsor of various writers and thinkers, reconciled voltaire with the king, and supported the Encyclopédie of denis diderot. Mme de Pompadour's role was also apparent in affairs of state, and few were appointed to office without her consent, as she acted as an intermediary between the king and his ministers (the duke de choiseul and François bernis owed their influence to her support). It was largely through her encouragement that the diplomatic arrangement was made allying France with Austria during the Seven Years' War.