July 12, 2023
 

See Conserved Portrait of Medora at the Chateau de Morès State Historic Site This Summer

Bismarck, N.D. — For the first time in four decades, a newly conserved portrait of Medora von Hoffman (the future Marquise de Morès) is on exhibit at the Chateau de Morès State Historic Site. The painting will be on view through Labor Day weekend at the Chateau’s Interpretive Center in Medora.

Charles François Jalabert’s 1874 portrait of von Hoffman, a wealthy debutante from a prominent New York family, recently underwent conservation work in Minneapolis. In addition to being cleaned and revarnished, a tear was repaired and the canvas stretcher reinforced. The painting also received a new custom gilt frame.

While residing in Cannes with her parents, von Hoffman met and in 1882 married the Marquis de Morès, a French aristocrat. The following year, he founded the town of Medora, which he named for her. A talented musician, sharpshooter, and watercolorist who spoke seven languages, she spent three summers in the 26-room hunting lodge the couple built on the edge of the Badlands where her husband also established a short-lived meatpacking operation.

The conservation revealed fresh details about the portrait, including that her dress is pale blue rather than green as previously thought and that she is holding a parasol handle. The handle had long been believed to be a riding crop given von Hoffman’s reputation as an accomplished equestrian.

“This is a unique opportunity for visitors to see the Medora portrait at the Chateau de Morès State Historic Site,” said David Newell, exhibitions manager. “Traditionally most of the emphasis has been focused on the Marquis and his business ventures. But this portrait highlights her strength of personality and situates her as an equal presence in their Western story.”

The Chateau de Morès is a state historic site managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. The Chateau de Morès and Interpretive Center are open daily, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. MT, through Labor Day. For more information, contact Exhibitions Manager David Newell at 701.328.2102 or dlnewell@nd.gov. Find a calendar of upcoming State Historical Society events at history.nd.gov/events.

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CONTACT
David Newell, 701.328.2102

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