Marie Antoinette's

The duchesse de Polignac was popular for her unpopularity during the French Revolution.  The name Polignac became a word interchangeable with 'hate,' as her close relationship with Marie Antoinette made for ample stories of the worst types; her reputation suffered daily.  The family was not always hated, and indeed would not always be!This post will touch on some of the 'highlights,'' if y

The Polignac's were a noble born family, but they were not very well off and were really provincial noblesse. They claimed their family dated back to the fifth century, but between the fifth and the eighteenth there were few members who could be coined remarkable.

Not until the eleventh century does a Polignac claim family relations.  This lone Polignac began the tracing of the family tree.  Their claim to nobility traced back to Caius Sollius Apollinaris Sidonius also known as Saint Apollinaris, both a man of the state and a poet.  Sidonius married the daughter of Roman Emperor Avitus, the union was advantageous for Gaul-Roman relations.  He also became a senator of Rome, and bishop of Avernum. All his accomplishments were later topped by his becoming a Saint! Although the Apollinaris name dates to the 5th century, the family tree is a little fuzzy from there.

The 11th century Polignac participated in the First Crusade and retired in Vellay.  During the sixteenth century, since the court of Francois I, the later mistress of Henry II, Diane de Poitiers, had shown favor on the family.  Her influence on the family had a positive effect and indebted to her, a tradition was born; to name all daughters Diane.

The name was not commonly known again until the Abbe Melchoir who would become the Cardinal de Polignac.  His fortunes began early when he was sent to Paris for his education.  While there the Cardinal de Bouillon noticed the bright boy and had him accompany him as a secretary to Rome.  While there his personality beamed and he made many friends in high places.   His work in Rome caught the attention of Louis XIV.  One of the high moments of the abbe's life was when he helped persuade the King to sign the Treaty of Utrecht.  He became Cardinal de Polignac on the recommendation from the King of England.

Possibly Diane de Polignac

This Cardinal had a fine taste for art, was an accomplished writer, and spoke fluently in several languages.  He was worldly and hospitable and generous.  The fortunes of the Cardinal de Polignac were passed down the family to a nephew, whose daughter Diane secured the post of lady in waiting to the Comtesse d'Artois.  Her lively spirit and easy going personality won over the court, her good conversation and wit made up for a lack of beauty.  So popular she became, that she received the title of cannoness and a substantial income with it.

Diane's younger brother, Jules, remained at the family home in the country.  He was set up for a marriage of convenience with Yolande Martine Gabrielle de Polastron.  The marriage did not do either family any favour as they were both old nobility and poor nobility.  After she secured a friendship with Marie Antoinette did her lot improve dramatically. Her husband Jules and herself were given the title of duc and duchesse de Polignac. Her sister in Law Diane also reaped benefits from the friendship, as the King made her Comtesse and appointed her head of the household of Madame Elizabeth.

Upon Louis XV's death, a stunned Marie Antoinette and now Louis XVI stood in their inner apartments of Versailles.  Famously, they asked God to guide them because of the disadvantage of their youth.  Of course, a court does not wait for prayers or thought; there was proper etiquette to be carried out right away.

The Comtesse de Noailles, or as Antoinette referred to, Madame Etiquette, was the first to approach the dismayed couple with instructions on what to do next.  As etiquette demanded, they were to make their way to the Grand Salon.  Once their they had to receive visits from those royal princes who had to pay homage to the new King and Queen.

Naturally, performing such a task was tough at that time.  To those first in line, Marie Antoinette was introduced as the new Queen of France leaning weakly upon her husband with a handkerchief constantly up to her eyes and nose. 

That evening the court left for Choisy, and a carriage was called for the new King, his Queen, his siblings and his sister in law, the comtesse d'Artois.  No one was older than twenty in that carriage. Naturally, though grieving, and full of anticipation of what might happen next, the party all succumbed to laughter after the comtesse d'Artois mispronounced a word, striking a funny bone in everyone. 

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.