Albert Edelfelt: Portrait of Blanche of Namur, Queen-Consort of Norway and Sweden with Prince (later King) Haakon VI of Norway (1877)

(Ateneum, Helsinki, finland)

Blanche of Namur was the eldest daughter of John I, Marquis of Namur and Marie of Artois. She married Magnus IV of Sweden, king of Sweden and Norway in 1335. Blache was very politically and socially active and she is one of the most known of medieval Swedish queens. The painting shows her with one of her sons - the future King Haakon VI of Norway. In Sweden she is also remembered for the song: "Rida rida ranka, hästen heter Blanka" ("Ride, ride on my knee, the horse is called Blanka") which is shown on this (fantasy) painting. This painting is from 1877.