Artifact Monday: Box Designs

This drawing shows several box and jewelry designs, all of which were intended to hold a piece of human hair. These designs were originally made for Marie Antoinette's sister, Marie Caroline, in about 1790.

Artifact Monday: Marie Antoinette Arm Chair

This arm chair once belonged to Marie Antoinette. Marie Antoinette's monogram (MA) is engraved at the top of the chair. It is unknown which of Marie Antoinette's palaces this chair came from, though it greatly resembles those from Saint-Cloud. It is currently held at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Photo Friday: Marie Antoinette's Boudoir - Fontainebleau

Updates on "Farewell My Queen"

I have recently stumbled across a  trailer for Farewell My Queen. I'm very excited about it, but must admit I'm a little dumbfounded. Apparently in the film, Marie Antoinette is portrayed as a lesbian. Her lover? Why the Duchess de Polignac of course!

One must remember, this film is based on the novel Farewell My Queen. I have not read it myself, but I assume this is one element of the story. Of course, Marie Antoinette was sometimes portrayed as a lesbian by her enemies, using her close friendships with Lamballe, Campan, and Polignac as "evidence."

I, personally, do not think Marie Antoinette was a lesbian, but I am interested to see how Marie Antoinette is presented in this film.

Here's the trailer to see what you think for yourself:

Artifact Monday: Arrest at Varennes

Here we see a depiction of the arrest of Louis XVI and his family after the failed flight to Varennes. According to Le Musée Carnavalet, which currently holds the piece,

"Disguises, surprises, twists: the representation of the flight to Varennes meets all the requirements of drama. Jean-Baptiste Lesueur chose here to represent the outcome: Bayon, the attorney of the Assembly, gives the king the decree-making body that suspended him from office. In the arms of their mother, the "Baroness de Korff," the royal children begging for mercy. One of the ladies in waiting of the Queen simulates unconsciousness. Dressed as a royal valet, Louis XVI makes a gesture of helpless amazement."

Marie Antoinette’s Private Apartments: The Dinning Room

Antoinette would often times enjoy her meals in this small room. The two corner cabinets exhibit china actually belonging to Marie Antoinette. The set was commissioned in 1784. The walls are covered in a pink floral silk on a simple cream background, and finished off with simple white washed wainscoting. 

Marie Antoinette, despite the popular image of cakes and champagne, ate sparingly. She detested the Grand Couvert, or public dinning when she and the King sat before the entire court and took their meals. She wouldn't eat, nor even remove her gloves! (Thought Louis had no such qualms and ate heartily).

Rather, Antoinette liked eating in private. She enjoyed broth soups and biscuits, which she dipped in water. According to Madame Campan, Antoinette "usually ate nothing but roast or boiled poultry and drank nothing but water. The only things of which she was particularly fond were her morning coffee and a sort of bread to which she had grown accustomed during her childhood in Vienna.”

What bread might this be? Why, one of the greatest contributions to French cuisine; the croissant. Originally made in Austria to celebrate victory over the Turks, Antoinette brought the fluffy pastry with her and introduced it to the French people. It is now one of the iconic symbols of France.

This is my last installment of Marie Antoinette's Private Apartments. I am going to begin exploring Le Hameau de la Reine next week, so be sure to check back!

Photo Friday: Schonbrunn from the Garden