The opposite children: Joanna the Mad and Maria of Portugal (Children of Spain).

If we could see how Isabel of Aragon and prince Juan could be moved in time, now I am focusing in one of the two sisters most known to us, and the one who is less known... and had a happier life.

Joanna is a controversial figure... some argue she was mad - to be honest, I think nothing that with today's medication could not be controlled, but definitely she had some unbalanced behaviours that deserve attention...more so that in the 15th and 16th centuries could be qualified as madness - some others as a victim. I see a young widow, passionate teenager, sent to a foreign court and the one who has to be her anchor and support undermined her.

However, the other side of the coin is her younger sister: less known, just as mother to empress Isabel of Portugal and aunt of emperor Charles. The one who had a happy content life, following her destiny.

Young romantic widow

Joanna, the third child, never thought she would be queen reignant of the country resullted from union of the kingdoms of Spain. Widow at 26, 5 children, alone, unsupported, misunderstood... but passionate as her mother was and delicate as her grandmother. Both are accentuated by the fabrics I chose, the blood red details the long flowing hair and the period I set her: Romanticism.

A tragic figure, not only for how she was treated, but also for the times she lived in.

María, the fourth child, born with a twin who was stillborn. Quiet, educated, less known to the general public except for being the one who replaced her eldest sister as wife to the king of Portugal. And the one who had the happiest and most fulfilled life. Good queen and an affectionate mother. So it was clear to me: the angel of the house - or the court - in mid 19th century.

Pale magenta in a silk skirt and in details of her bodice represents not only her status, but the love she gave and received. Elegant, and poised, the fabricss and silhouette represent this idea of motherhood: calm, collected, loving.