Marie Antoinette's

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

Very cool historic artworks of continents, personified!

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!

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!

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

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 18th century author of Origin of the Whale Bone Petticoat believed the fashions were created simply based on female pride, greed and vanity.