Colette

Colette was the mother of Queen Belle of France and wife to her father Maurice.

History
Colette Louise Dubois was born in June 23, 1700. Despite the attitude of women being seen as nothing more than mere objects and to be controlled in the age of enlightenment, Colette was an artist. Her father, Sir Jacob, and her mother, Lady Adrianna, made sure she was well educated and supported and encouraged her interest in art. She was close with her older sister, Kathryn, and her older brother, Normand, who were excited at the thought of having a new sibling when Sir Jacob told them that their mother was pregnant again. One day when a ten year old Colette  was walking with her nursemaid, Fabienne, she saw a father beating his son after he made a mistake while trying to clean the windows of their cottage. Colette had an idea. She asked Fabienne if she could have a rock. Fabienne asked her "Why do you want a rock"? Colette replied "Tu verras" (French for you'll see). Thinking quickly she aimed the rock at a wasp nest, causing the wasps to chase after the cruel father. The boy, who was named Maurice, thanked her for saving his life. Sir Jacob was proud of Colette's courage and so was Lady Adrianna, Kathryn, and Normand. When she was 26 and Maurice was 28, they married. Five years later, Colette gave birth to a beautiful little girl whom Maurice named Belle. She made at least two paintings with Belle. One in 1724, when Belle was one months old and one shortly before her death in May 22, 1730 when Belle was seven years old.

She died of tuberculosis when her daughter was just seven years old at age 30 in May 22, 1730. Colette's death forced her husband, Maurice, and their daughter to move to Villeneuve.

Trivia

 * Colette's granddaughter Princess Colette was named after her.
 * Belle has her colouring but takes after her father more in facial shape.