Upcoming Release: A Day with Marie-Antoinette: An Intimate Portrait of Her Life at Versailles

A new release from Flammarion, set to be published next May! I can't wait for this one!

Amazon.com synopsis:

This beautifully illustrated book sheds new light on the personal life of Marie Antoinette and reveals hidden aspects of her Versailles. Marie Antoinette was a mirror of her time. Never before has a queen been so passionately admired and adulated, then hunted, vilified, and defamed. From the young queen playing a shepherdess on stage, unaware of the turmoil in the capital, to France’s "martyr queen," the author demystifies the legend, unveiling the woman behind the queen, and the wife and mother behind the sovereign.By tracing her footsteps through Versailles, discovering her voice through her letters, and encountering little-known works in her private art collection, the reader gains new insight on the tragically brief life of a passionate, sensitive, dramatic, and captivating woman. Organized chronologically, with lavish new photography and a wealth of unpublished material, this is a nuanced portrait of Marie Antoinette and her Versailles.

10-Post Instagram Round-Up

I've only recently joined Instagram and one of the things I love about it is that you can find pictures of pretty much... well, anything! There's even an extensive list of Marie Antoinette related posts, which is why I'm trying out a new series of Instagram post round-ups where I will post 10 Instagram photos that catch my eye. I'm not sure if I'll be doing this weekly or just whenever the mood strikes, but for now, enjoy some of the great pictures I found this past week!

In no particular order:

1. georgy1979: Collection of Marie Antoinette related books
2. honeyponeymoney: Front view Versailles
3. s.feesh: 18th century hairstyle illustration inspired by Marie Antoinette
4. kasiacreations: Marie Antoinette illustration 
5. lee_leng417: Marie Antoinette doll
6. nana88440: Temple of Love from the Petit Trianon
7. sophie_bel: Modernized Marie Antoinette illustration
8. norawright: Fashionable Marie Antoinette illustration
9. cha_wm: Sofia Coppola inspired Marie Antoinette illustration
10. kasumiryo: Hand-painted Marie Antoinette bag

A satirical print against Louis XVIII: 'The Terrible Burden.'

 

 [credit: © The Trustees of the British Museum]

The above satirical print depicts Louis XVIII falling under the weight of a large double-labeled sack. The back half of the sack is labeled "the mistakes/faults of the Bourbons," while the much lighter front half is labeled "benefits of Louis XVIII."  

The print was released in May of 1815, during the 'Hundred Days' of Napoleon's return to French rule.

Illustrations from 'One Heart and Many Crowns: The Life of Empress Maria Theresa' by Brigitte Hamann

Ein Herz und viele Kronen: Das Leben der Kaiserin Maria Theresia (One Heart and Many Crowns: The Life of Empress Maria Theresa) by Brigitte Hamann is a German children's book about Maria Theresa of Austria.

The illustrations in the book are by Rolf Rettich, who has illustrated several children's books in Germany. I wanted to share some selected illustrations from the book that I have scanned, which I think have a lovely older charm to them.

The front and back of the book

A young Maria Theresa

 

 

Maria Theresa grieving her father

 

Maria Theresa and some of her children. Inspired by this portrait.

Maria Theresa in mourning for her husband

 

Bicentennial Art by Jean-Baptiste Morlet

I received a few more postcards released during the bicentennial of the French Revolution this week and knew I had to share!

These cards feature art by Jean-Baptiste Morlet. I really love the use of color in these paintings, especially the contrast between the fire and the skirts of the peasant women in the second image.

image: The Cart by Jean-Baptiste Morlet

credit: my collection

 image: The Fire at the Chateau by Jean-Baptiste Morlet

credit: my collection

image: Nobles in Prison by Jean-Baptiste Morlet

credit: my collection

A Few Interesting (And Sometimes Slightly Macabre) Postcards from the French Revolution Bicentennial

I was browsing for postcards earlier this month and came across various postcards and commemorative cards released in 1989 for the bicentennial year of the French Revolution. Amidst the expected variations on Marianne and the occasional modelesque illustration of a woman giving Tyra Banks-worthy eye smiles while sporting revolutionary gear were some interesting, if a bit strange, illustrations. I like strange things, and this admittedly sometimes includes the macabre--so I couldn't resist snapping up a several of these postcards, including a few which are slightly grim.

Artist: Desclozeaux

credit: my collection

 Artist: Loup

credit: my collection

Artist: Ronald Searle

credit: my collection

 Artist:Ronald Searle

credit: my collection

 Artist: Ronald Searle

credit: my collection

Artist: Ronald Searle

credit: my collection