The daughter of the deposed Polish king and a refugee in France, nothing predestined Marie Leszczynska to become queen of France. Married in 1725 at the age of 22 to Louis XV, she gave him ten children in ten years. Of a discreet and unassuming nature, she lived at Versailles surrounded by a small circle of courtiers. Always dignified, despite her royal husband’s many mistresses, she could count on the support of her children and her father Stanislas Leszczinski with whom she maintained a close and warm relationship throughout her life.

Passionate about painting and music, she was also an important patron of the arts. Humble and devout, she was nicknamed "Nôtre Bonne Reine’ by the French populace and dedicated a part of her time and money to the poor, to convents, hospitals and poor neighbourhoods. From 1752 onwards, a series of family bereavements, including that of her father in 1766, were a sore trial and contributed to the deterioration of her health. In a very weakened state, she died at Versailles on 24 June 1768, surrounded by her family.