Marie Antoinette's

If you have ever wanted to step back in time and visit 18th century France at its best, now is your chance.  The Getty is hosting an exhibition called Paris: Life & Luxury. Life & Luxury is all about the insane impact the French culture had on the rest of the world; the exhibition sets out to prove why that was.  The exhibition features pieces from 18th century France, and the timeline set up is what really transports the visitor.

As you pass through the exhibition, you walk through a day essentially, of an 18th century wealthy Parisian.  You are surrounded by all the little splendors and necessities needed for the day.  There will be furniture, art, architectural fittings, instruments and more.

"The exhibition will be a rich and deep sensory experience, engaging the viewer's initial attention with the compelling visual appeal of superlative and virtuoso works of art. From this breadth and diversity, visitors will learn generally about the contributions of the French, and in particular the Parisian, to the visual and performing arts, language, literature, history, science, and even culinary arts during this time period—in short, about their major contribution to the humanities at large."

The items come from collections around the world, and many from private collections.  This is your chance to see a really wonderful grouping of items together for the first time, and all from our favorite century!

The exhibition is travelling, and will only be on view for limited times.

• J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles: 26 April - 27 August 2011
• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: 18 September - 10 December 2011

 Do you think you will go? We will want all the details from those who do!

If you cannot make it to the show, you can now pre-order the exhibitions accompanying book, Paris: Life & Luxury in the Eighteenth Century.  The book discusses aspects from the show and of course, life in 18th century France.  Some topics of interest are 18th century fashion, the latest in technology, ritual of the morning toilette, and my favorite: architecture for privacy! Did I mention it features many wonderful full color images of the artifacts from the show?

I am going to try a new format.  Decorative arts are easy to love or hate, but let's try a comparison.  Which do you prefer and why? The attention to detail was quite extraordinary in 18th century furniture. 

I posted close up images so you could see the details better! Now, which piece do you prefer and why? What would you have in your château??

Boucher worked with Maurice Jacques on several tapestries.  The two co-created this piece, which is part of a set including which also includes Jupiter and Callisto, Vertumnus and Pomona, Cupid and Psyche and Venus Rising from the Waves.  The set was given as a gift to Marie Antoinette's older brother Joseph II from her husband, Louis XVI in 1777.  In this image, they can be seen in the Alexander Room at Hofburg Palace.

The two artist had worked together on art before.  In this piece, Boucher is resopnsible for the scene of Aurora and Cephalus.  Aurora, who is in love with Cephalus can only stare at his mortal body from her cloud.  Unlike her, he is earthbound.

Outside of the scene, are decorative elements such as an elaborate frame, damask background, floral garlands draped about, candle stick holders and a vase.  Jacques is responsible for the decorative elements which are suppose to give the illusion of a decorative wall.  Once the tapestry is hung, it really brings something to the room, art, beauty and illusion!

To get an idea of color, click here for an image of the Cupid and Psyche tapestry.

This lovely porcelain vase was made at the Meissen Factory around 1750.  When the item was made the factory had been illustrious for 4 decades, and their pieces were de rigeur for the first part of the century.  This vase features two exagerated handles on each side decorated with gilt vines and flowers.  This motif is mimicked on the base of the vase.  The dynamic flow of the base is very organic and implies the body of the vase is floating or balancing, quite gracefully, upon the growth (roots). 

The body of the vase is also organic in shape and covered in very small and well detailed blooms.  The texture is apparent and the blooms frame a miniature of a couple strolling through a pleasure garden.  The nature of this piece, with all it's floral motifs and organic bulbus shapes may just be found within an exotic pleausre garden. 

But what about your chateau? Perhaps it would sit upon the wooden end table in your living room? Or on your night stand in your private apartments? What do you say?

Here are a pair of andiron, made in France by Pierre Gouthière, when the new monarchs took the throne.  Gouthière worked in Paris and received many commissions from Marie Antoinette, he was simply one of the best! The term andiron originated in the thirteenth century and now we also refer to them as firedogs.  They are metal stands which are placed in a fireplace to hold logs. 

Elegant in style, this pair was designed with architecture in mind.  It would sit in the fireplace as we see it here. The logs lay across supports behind the gold banister, as if to represent keeping the fire within.  I particularly enjoy the exaggerated and billowy flames bursting from the two vessels on either end. But how about you? Would you use these in your fireplace?