Marie Antoinette's Gossip Guide to the 18th Century

Dairy Queens, Bastards, Jest and more Books to check out

2012-02-07T00:01:00.006-05:00

Gerber, Matthew. 2012. Bastards: Politics, Family, and Law in Early Modern France. New York: Oxford University Press.

My reading list is getting bigger again (every now and then I go a little crazy and book browsing turns into heavy duty book shopping!...I am not alone right?)

So I thought I would share some of the works I am most excited about with you!

Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Constance C. McPhee, and Nadine Orenstein. 2011. Infinite Jest: Caricature and Satire from Leonardo to Levine . New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Desan, Suzanne, and Jeffrey Merrick. 2009.Family, Gender, and Law in Early Modern France. University Park, Pa: Pennsylvania State University Press.

McMurran, Mary Helen. 2010. The Spread of Novels: Translation and Prose Fiction in the Eighteenth Century (Translation/Transnation). Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Williams, Carolyn D., Angela Escott, and Louise Duckling. 2010. Woman to Woman: Female Negotiations During the Long Eighteenth Century. Newark: University of Delaware Press.

Martin, Meredith. 2011. Dairy Queens: The Politics of Pastoral Architecture from Catherine de' Medici to Marie-Antoinette . Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.

And finally, I want to suggest Jane Austen Made me Do it. This book is edited by our very own Laurel Ann Nattress and is full of short stories all inspired by Jane Austen's characters. It is a fun and easy read, and I digested a story each night before bed. So put it on your must-read-for-fun list if you also can't get enough of Ms. Austen!

Nattress, Laurel Ann. 2011. Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart. New York: Ballantine Books Trade Paperbacks.

One of my readers has suggested the following title:

The Journal of Madam Knight:
A diary kept in 1704 by Sarah Kemble Knight on her hazardous round-trip journey from Boston to New York. Filled with witty comments on the manner of the people Madam Knight encountered, the lack of suitable accommodations, and the geography of early New England.
Sounds great!

For more book suggestions check out my Eighteenth Century Book List.
Happy reading!!

Exhibition: The 18th Century City / 18th Century Google Maps!

2012-02-03T08:00:00.014-05:00

The latest exhibition at the Grand Palais is called France in Relief, Masterpieces from the collection of relief maps of Louis XIV to Napoleon III. The show features amazing scaled-down maps of some primary European cities made of wood, paper, metal and silk. In a way, they are like the 18th century version of Google Maps.

The 3D maps were created for military purposes at the time, to aid in the preparation of war. During the 18th century they went on display to reinforce the power France held. But today they serve to teach us about the development of borders, town planning, map-making, historical towns (that have since been destroyed and rebuilt) and even siege warfare.

The maps are so well made and realistic you can picture the 18th century cities just as they were; the detail in the architecture of buildings and layout of each city gives us a fresh perspective on historical urban life. To create the maps, surveyors and engineers were sent out across the country to measure and record the details of assigned towns. There are 16 maps on view, all from the collection of the Grand Palais. The cities include:

Fort Barraux (Isère),
Montmélian (Savoy),
Exilles (Italy)
Fenestrelle (Italy)
Embrun (Hautes-Alpes)
Grenoble (Isère)
Briançon (Hautes-Alpes)
Mont-Dauphin (Hautes-Alpes)
Besançon (Doubs)
Neuf-Brisach (Haut-Rhin)
Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin)
Luxembourg
Bergen op Zoom (Netherlands)
Saint-Omer (Pas-de-Calais)
Cherbourg (Manche)
Brest (Finistère)

Check out this video on the exhibition, you will be amazed at the size and detail in each map!

If you can make it to this show, it is on view until February 17, 20
Video via Liberation Next

Would love to hear your thoughts if you see it!

Check out the exhibition website!

Nef du Grand Palais

Entrée principale

Avenue Winston-Churchill - 75008 Paris

Hours:Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wenesday, Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Closed Tuesday

Admission:

5 €, concessions 2,50 €

Chantilly: Selections from the Collection

2012-01-29T00:01:00.005-05:00

The foggy history of the Château de Chantilly only clears up after the 10th century AD, where it passed through a succession of owners, including the Grand Constable of Montmorency, whom added to the estate by purchasing lands around it. Louis XIII took particular interest in the estate, spending much time there and it was only until 1643 when Queen Anne of Austria gave the estate back to the Marguerite de Montmorency and her husband the Prince of Condé.

Chambre of the duchesse, Chantilly, via.

The estate underwent major improvements prompted by a race to keep up with Louis XIV's building projects at Versailles, and later during the French Revolution the historical and valuable contents of the ages old chateau were removed (the library was confiscated) and other items were sold in a large auction in 1793.

Gallery of Paintings, Chantilly, via.

While exiled, the then current Prince of Condé purchased art, books, and furniture. Eighteen years later the Prince of Condé returned to France and attempted to have the items that were removed returned. He was somewhat successful in securing some of the original art and items that filled the house, but he had to supplement them with the collections he had been building on his own.

Princes Chambers, Chantilly, via.

Because of his diligence in collecting and gifts during this period, the Museum Condé at Chantilly boasts over 1000 paintings, 2500 drawings, 2500 engravings and 1500 manuscripts, not to mention the large and important library. The collection includes sculpture and decorative arts, and is housed in the castle's galleries and rooms.

Pol de Limbourg and finished by Jean Colombe, Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry (Très Riches Heures), folio 7 v.; July: Castle Poitiers, which the Duke rebuilt; sheep-shearing and harvesting. illuminated manuscript, 1409-1479. Musée Condé.

Botticelli, Autumn. Musée Condé.

Raphael, Three Graces. Oil on panel, 1502-1503. Musée Condé.

Jean Fouquet, Hours of Étienne Chevalier; Adoration of the Magi. Manuscript illumination, 1445. Musée Condé.

Piero di Cosimo, Portrait of a Woman, perhas Simonetta Vespucci. Distemper on wood, 1480. Musée Condé.

Jean Decourt, Henri III before his accession, or his younger brother the Duke d'Alençon. Painting on wood, 16th century. Musée Condé.

For another gorgeous image of the inside of Château de Chantilly, check out Abby's photo of the week, at Nooks, Towers and Turrets!

Marie Antoinette Quilt

2012-01-28T12:07:00.001-05:00

via Kitty Me Designs

Reader @altheapreston was kind enough to point out Pamela Kellogg's designs for a Marie Antoinette themed quilt, or as she names them 'Crazy Quilts'. Her Marie Antoinette quilt burst with colors, sparkles and vintage themed imagery. What is awesome, is that each individual square of the quilt is unique, with it's own embellishments, portrait and style. Together, the crazy aspect may appear, for a quilt lined in satin bursting with sparkle and charm!

The size of the piece is appropriate, this isn't a throw quilt! and I like how she has displayed it on the wall as art. You can check out Pamela's other designs on her Etsy page, or get inspired and make your own Marie Antoinette themed items at home!

For Sale: Madame du Barry's Marble Chimneypiece

2012-01-18T07:57:00.003-05:00

On the 27th of January Madame du Barry's chimneypiece is going up for auction in New York. The white marble piece was designed by Claude Nicolas Ledoux and is detailed in gold. Why is this so very exciting? This piece and other 18th century treasures will be on view in New York City this month, but only for a week!

Claude Nicolas Ledoux, Chimneypiece. Ormolu-mounted white marble with gold detail, designed for Madame du Barry's Pavillion de Louvecinnes, c1771.

It is of Louis XVI style, and was originally housed in her Salon à Cul-au-Four, in Louvciennes. The chimneypiece was taken from Louvciennes in 1793 by the Revolutionary Government and later went up for auction in 1997. For this sale, the piece is expected to fetch $100,000 - $200,000.

Detail, Chimneypiece

Even if you know you wont be bidding on her chimneypiece, it is worth seeing in person. This piece along with several other fine 18th century artworks will be on view. The exhibition includes a set of Sevres vase garniture commissioned by Louis XV. The beautiful set is one of two the king had commissioned, the second set is currently in the collection of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The large vase currently in the collection of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Egg shaped garnitures such as this are very rare, but if you have been to Versailles you may have seen a set similar in white with chinoiserie decoration which Marie Antoinette is thought to have commissioned!

The exhibition will also feature a set of tapestries depicting Daphnis and Chloe, based on paintings by Phillippe II, Duc d'Orleans. Other pieces include impressive clocks, and a pretty spectacular 18th century marquetry grand piano. The full catalogue of items on view can be seen here.

Visit the exhibition:
21 Jan 2012 - 26 Jan 2012
1334 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021

Louis XV

Attributed to Jean-Claude Chambellan Duplessis, commissioned by Louis XV, A Royal Louis XV Ormolu-mounted Sèvres fond violet porcelain three-piece vase garniture. Porcelain, c1768.

Detail

Duc d'Orléans

Jean le Febvre the Younger (woven by), Philippe II, Duc d'Orlèans (designed by), French Allegorical tapestries (set of 4) depicting the story of Daphnis and Chloe. Made at the manufacture des Gobelins, 1718-1720.

Detail

Madame as.....

2012-01-11T07:51:00.001-05:00

Nattier, Jean-Marc, Madame de Caumartin as Hebe. Painting, 1753.National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC.

Jean-Marc Nattier, Madame Henriette de France as a Vestal Virgin. Oil on canvas, 1749. The Detroit Institute of Arts.

Noël Nicolas Coypel, Portrait of Madame de Bourbon-Conti as Venus. Oil on canvas, 1731. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

Jean-Marc Nattier, Madame de Pompadour as Diana. Oil on canvas, 1752. The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Exhibition: Infinite Jest: Caricature and Satire from Leonardo to Levine

2012-01-09T00:01:00.011-05:00

If you can manage to pull yourself away from the European paintings and swing a quick left at the top of the main staircase at the Met you will be met with a punchy blue wall, the opening of the Infinite Jest exhibition. The first work facing the front of the exhibition is a drawing by Francois-Andre Vincent of his fellow artist Pierre- Charles Jombert. Just like a boardwalk caricature, the subject has comically large hands, a small head and is drawn so tall, the artist had to use two sheets of paper tacked together!

The exhibition is broken down into various sections such as: crowds, eating and drinking, gambling, the art world and a large section is on fashion.

The show has some earlier and later works mixed in with a nice emphasis on some from the long 18th century. They include sassy depictions of politicians, ladies and common class figures. The section on Crowds focuses on the issue of crowd control in 18th century England.

The theatre is where crowds become quickly out of control, particularly for the working class. To get into the building it is crowded. There is no space, no where to move except along with the crowd, pressed between bodies and moving with the aggravated flow.

But it gets worse. Hats are knocked off, people are shouting, canes go flying, everyone is a potential victim to a pickpocket and some people even vomit from the discomfort. Is there anywhere you would rather be? All these horrors of the crowd are summed up in the satires presented in the show.

A print by Thomas Rowlandson called Theodore Lane provides a further look into the life of the crowd after they reach the theatre doors; nothing changes once inside. As families try to reserve seats for each other, scuffles may break out and there are still people passing out or getting sick. A pleasant night indeed

Another work you may be familiar with is Rowlandson's Exhibition 'Stare' Case. Visitors to the Royal Academy's annual exhibition tumble down the steep staircase in a crowd (of course)and skirts go flying and bodices give way! Ladies fall scandalously on men while other eyes fall scandalously on the ladies. Many visitors stop to stare because there is just so much to see. Who needs to see the actual art work when the nudes are downstairs?

After Crowds is a section on Eating and Drinking. My favorite piece from this section was Charlet Nicolas-Toussaint's Entry or Lord Fat Cheeks and Exit, or Lord the Gob. The man enters the gambling hall very well put together but after a long night he leaves dishevelled and marked with misfortune. Very much like the character Felix from the adaptation of The Way We Live Now.

Anonymous, French, 18th century, Le Triomphe de la coquetterie. Etching and engraving, 18th century. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Each print in the fashion section is a funny statement on both ladies' and gentleman's fashion. There are some works that poke fun at the French dandies of the 18th century, and of course ladies' hair. There are some that focus on the exaggerated shapes (shoulders, bustles) women began wearing during the reign of Victoria as well. My favorite work from this section is Le Triomphe de la coquetterie, which you could stand in front of for a very long time taking in all the ridiculousness portrayed... Check out the details (click to enlarge).

As I said before, men were not excused from caricatures of fashion offenders. With his hair dressed so large, Baron de Caprice has a bit of trouble when he calls on Mlle Favors. His hair has prevented him from entering the lady's home, and he has to wait while the door frame is expanded (by chisel and hammer!).

Anonymous, French, The Entry of the Baron of Caprice to the Home of Miss Favors (Entré du Baron du Caprice chez Melle des Faveurs). Etching, second half 18th century. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Infinite Jest is an intimate show, its not large, but the works are so detailed and have so many little jokes within each that you will spend a good portion of time here. You can tell the artists' had senses of humor when they created the works and you can tell someone had a good time putting the show together. The exhibition is a much appreciated respite at the Metropolitan Museum.

The catalogue is now available: Infinite Jest: Caricature and Satire from Leonardo to Levine

The exhibition is on until March, and if you have seen it or stop by, please let us know what you thought in the comments section!

If you know you cannot make it to the exhibition in person, check out the online version here.

Above:

Thomas Rowlandson, Exhibition "Stare" Case. Etching, hand colored, 1811. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Nicolas-Toussaint Charlet, Entry, or Lord Fat Cheeks. (Entrée, ou Milord-Gorju). Lithograph, 1820-22. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Nicolas-Toussaint Charlet, Exit, or Lord the Gob (Sortie, ou Milord-la Gob). Lithograph, 1820-22.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Time for the new year!

2011-12-25T00:45:00.000-05:00

Vervik, Ice Skaters. Black ink, white gouache, watercolor, 1777. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Happy holidays and new year! I hope everyone has a wonderful end to the year, I will be laying low for the next week getting some much needed relaxation!

Happy holidays!

French and English Style: books!

2011-12-20T07:52:00.002-05:00

Here are two more books I have come across that I think many of you will really enjoy!

Cliff, Stafford. 2008. French Style and Decoration: A Sourcebook of Original Designs. London: Thames & Hudson.

Cliff, Stafford. 2008. English Style and Decoration: A Sourcebook of Original Designs. New York: Thames & Hudson.

Each book has over 600 illustrations, that include original 18th century designs for everything from moulding profiles, cloche design, decorative art such as urns, interior designs, furniture design, fabric swatches, porcelain, etc... I keep comparing it to home shopping from a catalogue (an 18th century catalogue...)

I have found the books excellent (and very inspiring!) because images are from original sources. You can see and read the handwriting of the artists who jotted down notes in the margins! Everything is very detailed. Check out this image of teacup design from the Sèvres porcelain factory just before the Revolution. (click to enlarge)

The French book includes chapters on

Into the 18th century, the influence of Versailles
Régence and Louis XV, the triumph of Rococo
Transition, Louis XVI and Directoire, the new classicism
Consulate, Empire and Restoration, styles imperial
Second Empire and Fin-de-sićle, revivalism and revolution
Twentieth-century duality, art deco and modernism.

The English book includes:

The 18th century: Classicism and Rococo
Regency and after: revival and eclecticism
Early Victorian: the workshop of the world
High Victorian: after the great exhibition
The late 19th century: into arts and crafts
The 20th century: traditionalism to modernism

I hope everyone's holiday season is going well, and your shopping is all set! I am still working on my list (fathers are always tough!) but I have a few days to finish up!

18th century inspired Gifts: Perfume

2011-12-14T00:19:00.001-05:00

Here is another edition of 18th century inspired gifts for the holiday season. Our theme is perfume!

This one is recommended by reader Bittersweet, Black Jade perfume which is a modern recreation of Marie Antoinette's favourite (and last) fragrance she wore before the revolution claimed her life. The historic perfume house Lubin created the fragrance for the Queen, and the original ingridients for the fragrance were kept in the perfumers books.

If you have taken my advice, you may have read the recent book that recently came out: A Scented Palace: The Secret History of Marie Antoinette's Perfumer. The perfumer Jean-Louis Fargeon worked with Marie Antoinette on creating several fragrances and this one, originally Bouquet de la Reine, is now recreated with a modern spin for us!

The name of the fragrance is Black Jade. The name came from the black vial which it was kept in (worn as a necklace).
Buy your own bottle Black Jade here.

If you are looking for authentic 18th century fragrances, look no further than DSH Perfumes, who created the Perfumed Court Collection. This was a limited edition collection created based on in depth research on Marie Antoinette and the courts of Louis XV and XVI. You can still pick up three of the best fragrances, including Eau de Trianon, Eau de Coquette and Aqua Admirabilis (aka Eau de Cologne). Check out my interview with Dawn, the creator of this collection here!
Purchase the fragrances here.

If you are searching for an 18th century fragrance for that special guy... you may want to check out Pimpernel, offered by Pimpernel clothing. Made and inspired by the “oldest perfume house in France… a supplier of fragrance to King Louis XV and his court at Versailles” this eau de toilette is:

“perfect for a nocturnal visit to a lady in waiting at le Petit Trianon, and reminiscent of those lazy Summer afternoons sipping champagne on the lawn while evading hawk-eyed chaperones.”

Pick up a bottle of Pimpernel here.

Happy shopping! *waves fan

18th century inspired Gifts

2011-12-11T16:59:00.002-05:00

Thanks to my lovely reader Alison, I would like to share the Versailles candle as today's 18th century inspired gift! Perfect for the holidays (I always seem to have more candles going this time of year- I like the cozy effect...)

So Alison has found this beautifully designed candle, named Versailles. "Famous for its ornately decorated rooms and manicured gardens, Versailles captures perfumes of Freesia, Gardenia, Musk and Amber. Treat your palace to a touch of royalty with this scent fit for a Queen."

Well there you have it. The fragrance includes Violet, Freesia, Gardenia, China Musk, Italian Orris, and Amber.I love the mercury glass look of the jar! Find a store that carries it here: Glasshouse

Another gift I have come across (this time thanks to Abby from Nooks, Towers & Turrets) is the Ladies in Waiting plate set. I love the quickly drawn pen and ink style of these black and white plates.

There are four different designs, each lady wearing a different style gown and with different poufs too! They are available at Anthropologie. Right now, online Ship is available, not sure if the others have sold out online or if they are temporarily out of stock!

If you see any other awesome items that are perfect for gift giving, please pass them on!

Out of the Salon

2011-12-02T23:30:00.000-05:00

I will be away from the blog for a little bit because I am moving! Yay, very exciting! But also a lot of work and stress, so for the next few days as I get settled (this has been a long process) I will not be posting. But you can find me on twitter!

Be back soon!!

America, Asia and Europe represented by ladies

2011-11-23T00:04:00.006-05:00

Amerique (dressed print). French late 17th Century, Paper; engraved; hand-colored; with fabric added; mounted on wood. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

The lady in this image is seated outdoors and represents America. She wears an exquisite costume and holds a parrot. Her gown is blue, turquoise and brown, lined with colorful feathers (turkey feathers??) Her headdress mimics later poufs that Europe would see, but here it is entirely of feathers built up high. She holds a bow in her left hand and has a pack of quivers on her back.

Detail

Asie (dressed print). French, Late 17th century. Paper, fabric, wood; engraved; hand-colored; with fabric added; mounted on wood. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Asia is depicted on a plush green sofa with a very elaborate headdress. She wears a cloak over her gown and you can just barely see pointed shoes peek out from her skirts. The lady does not have a weapon as in the image of America but she does have a ride waiting for her, a saddled elephant!

Detail

Europe (dressed print). French, Late 17th century. Paper, fabric, wood; engraved; hand-colored; with fabric added; mounted on wood. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Finally Europe is shown, the lady again seated outdoors, in a country landscape. Europe has many more attributes than Asia or America, perhaps alluding to superiority in known history (for the artist). She has a globe by her feet, and a rifle in her hand. Music and the arts are represented by the objects laying on the ground in front of her, and her ride: a beautiful white horse. She wears a regal gown lined with ermine fur, and her hair is perfectly arranged and curled. Finally a large stone castle stands in the background of this portrait, as only trees did in the others.

Detail

A Queen's First Appearance: Marie Antoinette's hair

2011-11-21T12:43:00.004-05:00

I have just written a fun guest post for Joanne Renaud at Joanne Renaud Writing & Illustration blog. It is all about fashion, first impressions and most specifically Marie Antoinette's hair!

~~~~

One of the most tragic figures of the 18th century was the young French queen Marie Antoinette, who only lived to be 37 years old. The beginning of her career as queen was also the beginning of her career as a fashion icon in Europe. Marie Antoinette was making major fashion decisions as early as the coronation of her husband, Louis Auguste in 1775. At just nineteen years old, Marie Antoinette had an important decision to make: what to wear!

The coronation ceremony for the new king and queen was traditional. The ceremony was ages old, even the official uniforms of the attendants were decades out of style but they were required. Keeping frugality in mind, the young Louis decided to cut some corners and keep things low budget.
Read the full post here!

Books on the 18th Century

2011-11-14T18:04:00.000-05:00

Giuseppe Maria Crespi, Music Library. Oil on two panels, 1720. Biblioteca musicale 'G.B. Martini' di Bologn.

Did you know that I have an awesome library taking over my living room full of books all about the 18th century? It is awesome and overwhelming all at once!

I have just finished putting together an awesome collection of recent publications on 18th century history (arts, literature, general history, etc.) You can find this link at the bottom of the blog, I am not sure if anyone ever looks down there, but I keep some links there :o)

As I see more titles come out I will update the list. I had been keeping the list going so I know what I want to read next but with all the questions regarding books coming in, I thought you would want to see what is out and what is good!

Check it out: Books on the 18th century!

If you are really just interested in Marie Antoinette, check out the link Books on Marie Antoinette.

Marie Antoinette's birthday giveaway winners!

2011-11-09T18:17:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for entering my Marie Antoinette Birthday giveaway! The lucky winners are:

Katie Sue wins the Le Salon de Musique de Marie-Antoinette

Patricia wins a copy of Sofia Coppola's 2006 movie, Marie Antoinette.

*Winners please email me your postal addresses and I will ship the items out right away! Congrats.

If I do not hear from you within 2 weeks I will select another winner for the prize.

Outside of Versailles: November in the Fields

2011-11-08T00:01:00.004-05:00

Master of the Months of Lucas, November. Tapestry, 1731-1743.

I love this early eighteenth century tapestry and wish I had a color image to share! The detail is amazing, several men and women work together to sow seeds. You can see prepped fields in the background as a man sows seeds in the perfectly lined soil. Further back you can see a man tilling the soil behind his two horses. In the foreground a woman sifts through a large sack of seeds and an infant mischievously plays with a second sack of seeds.

I am still trying ot figure out what the two men are doing climbing the tree in the background, unless they are gathering wood or harvesting some fruit....send me your thoughts on that!

I also love the way the artist treated the border of this tapestry. It is extremely ornate, centered with an image of Sagittarius at the top (this is a visual representation of November after all!). The corners each have a rosette wrapped with garlands fall harvest vegetables and fruits. Lovely!

The origin of 18th century fashion by an anti-fashionista

2011-11-04T09:08:00.000-04:00

The 18th century author of Origin of the Whale Bone Petticoat believed the fashions were created simply based on female pride, greed and vanity. To clearly illustrate the ridiculous that was fashion of that time period, he re-accounts the story of Belinda, whom I can only assume the character of Madame de Plonge was loosely based on!

In his story, the beautiful and much sought after Belinda is stricken with the clap after a romp with a lover, and the disease causes her to waddle through the hallways of Versailles in discomfort. The lady, whom had planned dates with several suitors over the following few evenings, went to her doctor seeking a remedy.

Her doctor prescribed a course of treatment that would get her back to normal in a weeks time. This of course was far too long, as the men she was anticipating arrived within the week. (Line up boys!) So the doctor came up with an alternative plan.

Order your mantua makers to attend
Tailors, et caetera, for I intend
Deep within circling ambuscade to hide your straddling gate
Madam I’ll built you like a pyramid!
….
By this device you’ll walk without much pain
And shine triumphant in Versailles again
If you but wear it all the bubbl’d nation
Will soon admire and bring it into fashion
…
Whale bone petticoats had their rise
To hide a filthy strumpet’s foul disease

And now fair ladies view well your monstrous dress and recollect
Think on the whore that was the architect.

Do you love this or what! The panniers and hoops all created to hide disease, and faults in women. Who knew! If you are interested in reading more on 18th century styles I suggest you check out
The Politics of Fashion in Eighteenth-Century America by Kate Haulman. Every chapter is full of interesting bits from the time period on fashion’s development in the city and in the country, for ladies and gentlemen, and fops too.

Marie Antoinette's Birthday, let's have a giveaway!

2011-11-02T00:39:00.000-04:00

It is that time of year again, Marie Antoinette's birthday! 256 years ago today the lady was born in Austria. Twenty years later she was having fabulous parties to celebrate in France. Really, is there any better time for a giveaway? So read on and enter my Birthday giveaway and of course *passes champagne*

One lucky reader will will a copy of Le Salon de Musique de Marie-Antoinette

"This enchanting disc is one to be enjoyed in tranquil moments. It conjures up the flavour of the salon of Marie-Antoinette, who counted music among her pleasures during the politically turbulent times at the court of her husband, Louis XVI. Aside from her penchant for the serious operas of Gluck and for the lighter ones of Grétry, Marie-Antoinette liked to play and listen to chamber music, an attractive, varied range of which is enshrined in this programme." Read full review here.

A second winner will receive a copy of Sofia Coppola's 2006 movie, Marie Antoinette:
If you haven't seen it yet, this movie is so lovely to watch. I often keep it on in the background when doing busy things around the house. The fashions, shoes, fabrics, interiors...all visually stunning!

Lucky readers, here is how to enter:

Leave a comment here with your favorite thing or bit of gossip about Marie Antoinette by Tuesday November 29th.

The winners will be selected at random and announced on Wednesday November 30. Everyone is eligible!

Good luck!

The Unfortunate Madame de la Popelinière

2011-11-01T00:37:00.000-04:00

Maurice-Quentin De La Tour, Madame de La Pouplinière. Pastel on paper, not dated. Musée Antoine Lécuyer

The ideas of love and relationships in the 18th century varied by social status. Extramarital affairs were not only common amongst aristocrats but accepted too. This was not the case with the bourgeoisie, if affairs cold be considered a privilege, it was one of the nobles only. An excellent case of affair-intolerance among the bourgeoisie would be the fortunate-then-unfortunate case of Madame de la Popelinière....

To read about Madame de la Popelinière, check out my guest blog post at 18thCenturyHistory.com ! [Full Post Here]

~~~~~~~~
Read more on the Popelinières:

Berlanstein, Lenard R. 2001. Daughters of Eve: A Cultural History of French Theater Women from the Old Regime to the Fin de Siècle. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.

Cucuël, Georges. 1971. La Pouplinière et la musique de chambre an XVIIIe siècle. New York: Da Capo Press. [French edition]

Johnson, James H. 1996. Listening in Paris: A Cultural History. Berkeley: Univ Of California Press.

Kavanagh, Julia. 1893. Woman in France during the eighteenth century. New York: Putnam.

A Peek inside: Madame de Pompadour and Louis XV

2011-10-31T09:15:00.000-04:00

"He [Louis XV] made up a table of comète [card game] with Madame de Pompadour, Coigny, Madame de Brancas, and the Comte de Noailles, the King rather enjoyed that sort of little game, but Madame de Pompadour seemed to hate gambling and to be trying to put him off it."

from a letter by the Prince de Croÿ, dated 30 January 1747

Art: haunting works

2011-10-31T00:02:00.000-04:00

Francisco de Goya, Half-submerged Dog. Painting, 1819-1823. Museo del Prado

Inspired by Heather's The Witching Hour post, I thought I would ask you if there were any paintings you find spooky, creepy or scary?? These can be from the 18th century or any other period.

For me, Goya's Half Submerged Dog made quite the chilling impression. It is displayed among the Black Paintings at el Prado museum. In this very eerie room you find Saturn Eating His Children and Witches Sabbath (below). The exhibit of the works is really quite haunting....Have you seen them?

Francisco Goya, The Witches Sabbath. Painting, 1823. Museo del Prado.

Happy Halloween!

The Devil in the Holy Water is now a paperback

2011-10-28T00:17:00.000-04:00

Just heard that Uni Pennsylvania Press is releasing The Devil in the Holy Water as a paperback book, so if you didn't pick up the hardcover version, now you can get the more affordable version!

Why would you be interested in this book?

It starts during the age of Louis XIV, the Sun King, and discuses various publications that circulated (illegally) about the court. This didn't stop when Louis XV took the throne, and by the time Marie Antoinette and her girlfriends were the center of attention, they were also mentioned in or even topics of salacious books, pamphlets, and notes. Who was saying what about who? Who believed what stories? Some were even published in riddles so you would have to work hard to figure out what countess was having an affair with so-and-so. Interested now?

Check out my full review here: The Devil in the Holy Water, or the Art of Slander from Louis XIV to Napoleon

Pick up the paperback edition of this book here

Before the Ball...

2011-10-26T00:48:00.002-04:00

Jean-François de Troy, Before the Ball. Oil on canvas, 1735. The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center

I absolutely love this painting, and thought I would share it. So much to do and excitement before a ball, you can feel the anticipation from everyone. Evening has fallen, and we are getting ready....the food, the drinks, the dancing, friends, fashions...!

Click on the details for a lager view.
De Troy really captures the excitement of the moment, before the ball!

An account of a Masquerade in Turin

2011-10-24T00:14:00.000-04:00

Louis-Joseph Le Lorrain, Three Figures Dressed for a Masquerade. Oil on canvas, 1740s. The National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.)

Thanks to the art of journal keeping and letter writing during the 18th century, I have come across a very interesting account of a Masquerade thrown in Turin in 1774. This masquerade was notably different from fine ones thrown in Paris or London as mentioned below. From Paris today, Turin is about 480 miles away.

...there is to be some sort of a Masquerade, but as it differs very much from anything you understand by a Masquerade, it will be necessary I shou'd explain it.

Everybody was allw'd to come in that paid the price, which, as it was very low, the Company was of all sorts, but not in the Boxes; they all belong to the people of fashion.

Everybody was allowed (like the Masquerades at Florence) to be in their usual dresses or in Mask, so the Company was composed of Masks & no Masks, but the principal part of the Masquerade consisted of twenty Gentlemen who came in at first all as Shades, & concealed in their shadow dresses the Materials for erecting a Temple, which rose in a few minutes opposite to the Box of the Princess de Carignan & in large letters were wrote 'A la Beaute.'

The Shades then became ancient dresses of the different Nations & very fine ones. They all proceeded to the box of the Princess of Carignan, who was a very fine mask, & all the Ladies who were with her were in different dresses: they were all presented with large noesgays of Artificial flowers, after which they returned where they had erected their Temple, which disappear'd as quick as it rose.

I love the image presented of the twenty men, who clearly preplanned the event knowing the Princess de Carignan was going to be in attendance. They planned to arrive as Shades in long robe like costumes, so that they could easily hide the fabric and items needed to create a 'temple' which I imagine included sheets with the words le beaute on them. All directed at the pretty lady, imagine if it were you!