Porcia

Cafe Society
1

While touring the Musée Lambinet in Versailles (France) I saw a portrait by Pierre Mignard (painter during the reign of Louis XIV) entitled “Porcia se donnant la mort” (Porcia committing suicide). The portrait was of a young woman about to swallow hot coals.

Can anyone tell me who Porcia was and why she would commit suicide in such a painful way?

2

Different spelling, but I’m pretty sure it’s the same person:

From here. As to the choice of method, I cannot say.