Marie-Antoinette in Art

First topic message reminder :

Here is a picture I found on Anna Amber's site, along with some interesting information.http://vivelareine.tumblr.com/post/11584753502

Portrait of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France (1755-1793), three-quarter-length, seated, at the Conciergerie, Paris, in mourning, with a cameo pendant portraying the Dauphin, holding a life of Mary, Queen of Scots, a bust of Louis XVI and the Testament of 23 December 1792 on the draped table beside inscribed ‘HIS.DE LA.M. DE STUAR[T]’ (lower centre, on the book)

I never knew she was reading a book about Mary Queen of Scots.

Bunnies wrote: If we'd really like to discuss it though, maybe we could make another thread? I don't want to clog this one with off-topic jabber.  

I'm excessively curious about your opinion, so I would like to have a Rousseau topic under "Books and Movies", for instance... but as usual, I'm not sure if I can present some qualitative contrary opinions... I mean, I like Rousseau, but it was not yesterday when I read him (or others about his works) for the last time, so I'm not prepared enough for a real discussion...  But please, I want to read about how a true revolutioner as you sees Rousseau!  

Huh, am I? Or are you talking to Sophie?

Yes, I suppose it was for me  Yes, the title is The Queen's Confessions, but I know nothing about the book. Whether it's good or bad, if I look at these cute illustrations, I'm sure it was worth publishing it!

Mata Hari wrote:Really lovely! Now here is a piece of massive stupidity:
http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2013/10/23/holly-marie-armishaw-reflective-surfaces-with-conceptual-depth/
They think they are being ironic to show Marie-Antoinette reading Rousseau! Well guess what! Marie-Antoinette DID read Rousseau, and even went to visit his grave! 

I just want to clarify my meaning. When I said "massive stupidity" I was referring to the article, not to the photograph. The photographs by Holly Marie Armishaw are masterpieces of poignant historical recreation. I like the above photo very much! 

Thank you for making that clear, Mata. Ms. Armishaw wrote to me, and was perturbed by what she perceived to be criticism of her work. I understand her feelings. I, too, like the photo very much and find Ms. Armishaw's work to be brilliant. I welcome her as a member of this Forum. I wish also to be clear that my problem is with the article, not with her work.
http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2013/10/23/holly-marie-armishaw-reflective-surfaces-with-conceptual-depth/

The article appears to assume that Marie-Antoinette never read Rousseau and was indifferent to the plight of the people. Ms. Armishaw's research was quite extensive and so that is not the meaning she meant to convey. I am personally struck by the beauty of the photo..

Elena wrote: I wish also to be clear that my problem is with the article, not with her work.

Oops, I also wrote "photographer" in a previous critical comment. I'm terribly sorry if I hurt Ms Armishaw's feelings!  Of course, her photo is an artwork that can be interpreted in many ways, and it's not her fault if some "interpreters" lack some basic knowledge when coming across her works. The photo in itself is a wonderful occasion to arouse some interest, or even the desire for research, in some people who in the end realize their misconceptions about the "stupid and indifferent" Antoinette. So again, sorry for the misunderstanding!

I don't even have a problem with the article. But maybe I'm misunderstanding it? The author expressed surprise that she saw Antoinette with a book on philosophy. Most people would be. While we know otherwise, the average Jacques isn't going to be aware of Antoinette's nuanced literary tastes. I don't think expressing surprise that Antoinette read Rousseau is necessarily an ignoramus. I expressed surprise when I learned Hitler was a vegetarian or that Anne Boleyn was religious. These things are shocking right out of the gate. And the author never says the photograph is inaccurate, just that it challenges the viewer to "reconsider" their "contemporary idea of the historic figure." And it does.

Good point. Thanks to you all for a great discussion. Please do start a thread about Marie-Antoinette and Rousseau if you would like. 

Sophie wrote:

Elena wrote: I wish also to be clear that my problem is with the article, not with her work.

Oops, I also wrote "photographer" in a previous critical comment. I'm terribly sorry if I hurt Ms Armishaw's feelings!  Of course, her photo is an artwork that can be interpreted in many ways, and it's not her fault if some "interpreters" lack some basic knowledge when coming across her works. The photo in itself is a wonderful occasion to arouse some interest, or even the desire for research, in some people who in the end realize their misconceptions about the "stupid and indifferent" Antoinette. So again, sorry for the misunderstanding!

That is kind of you, Sophie. I feel very bad as well.

http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/2014/03/archduchess-antonia.html


I think this is a portrait of Marie-Antoinette before her marriage since she is shown with the archducal crown.

Here is  a picture of the metal frame of the archducal crown, sans gems. http://tiny-librarian.tumblr.com/post/79470671847/metal-frame-of-the-austrian-archducal-coronet-used



Here is an article about the work of Elisabeth Vigée-Le Brun at the National Gallery in Washington, DC. http://queensransom.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/the-national-gallery-of-art-and-vigee-le-brun/

I don't remember seeing this portrait before. http://vivelareine.tumblr.com/post/79402914556

Lovely miniature. http://tiny-librarian.tumblr.com/post/82449255409/miniature-of-marie-antoinette-sitting-on-a-chair

I found a link to the auction with the lovely miniature Elena uses as her avatar!




Apparently it went for $101,626, after the initial estimate was for $14,570 - $21,855!!!!

I just love it!!

Fabulous! Thank you!  

So pretty! I love it <3

I am also very fond of the miniature of her as Venus (I think she's supposed to represent her there).

Someone suggested (I believe it was Elena) that it might have been made as a present to her husband as commemoration of the consummation of their marriage, especially since it happened as she was rising from her bath, romantic!

All of these pictures are lovely!

Glad you are enjoying them!!   

http://vivelareine.tumblr.com/post/92248152063


http://vivelareine.tumblr.com/post/92113530138

This is an engraving dating to 1847. It shows Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, Marie Therese Charlotte, Louis Charles, and Madame Elisabeth walking in the courtyard on the Temple Prison in 1792.

Did I mention it's in my collection? Because it is and I'm very fond of it, I just have to get a frame to properly display it!  



Here's a closeup of the Royal Family!

I like this one! Thanks for sharing