The Art of Madame de Caraman Chimay

Countess Ghislaine de Riquet de Caraman Chimay (1865-1955) was a loyal lady-in-waiting and brave companion of Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians during World War I. Like her mistress, the Countess was a talented artist. Here are two of her pastel drawings, from her days at La Panne, known as the 'Green Pearl' of the Belgian coast, near the French border. The Belgian Royal Family took up residence in La Panne in a modest brick villa in October 1914 following the German invasion of Belgium in August. Both works displayed here formed part of the art collection of Queen Elisabeth's grand-daughter, Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy, which was auctioned at Christie's in 2007.

An intimate scene of King Albert I, Queen Elisabeth and perhaps Prince Leopold, the future King Leopold III, entitled La Chambre du Roi ('The King's Room'), signed and dated 'Ghislaine de Caraman-Chimay/1917'.

A portrait of Maria José, Queen of Italy, as a child, signed, inscribed and dated 'La Panne. 1916 - /S.A.R. La Princesse/Marie-José ecoutant/une belle histoire a la/lueur de la lampe/G de Caraman Chimay' ('La Panne. 1916-/H.R.H. Princess/ Marie-José listening/ to a beautiful story by the/ light of the lamp/ G de Caraman Chimay').