(1773-1849)
Marie Renee Donesan, always known simply as "Madame Riviere", was a notorious New Orleans socialite.
For the left miniature, from Louisiana Portraits: "Of Bordeaux, France; daughter of Bernard Donesan and Marie Lemarque; (shown here at eighteen years of age when she was the toast of Paris); married Jean Baptiste Riviere (1759-1809) of Bordeaux, came to Louisiana with her husband, a friend of the Baron de Carondelet. He was a merchant and their home and place of business was at #41 Levee Street, corner of Bienville. This location was designated by Governor Claiborne as one of the three polling places in the first election to be held in this area in February, 1803."
For the right portrait, from Louisiana Portraits: "...She is referred to by Grace King in Creole Families of Louisiana as 'the brilliant Madame Riviere who was the life of the social circle of Governor Carondelet,' and she is frequently mentioned in the letters of the Baron de Pontalba."
The right portrait was painted by Collas in 1823.