Boucher's The Interrupted Sleep caught my eye while passing through the museum...
Showing posts with label Madame de Pompadour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Madame de Pompadour. Show all posts
The Interrupted Sleep, 1750
Boucher's The Interrupted Sleep caught my eye while passing through the museum...
How to frame a painting by François Boucher
Boucher's The Interrupted Sleep caught my eye while passing through the museum...
The 18th century drawing portfolio in art
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| Nicolas Bernard Lépicié, Boy with a Drawing Book. c. 1772 oil on canvas. Rijksmuseum. |
Somehow I made it through college dragging along a large burgundy drawing portfolio that was too heavy to carry. Just last year, still stuffed with various papers, the leather straps on it broke! I know I overstuffed it. Here is a glimpse at some 18th century portfolios (also overstuffed!). A young artist with his own portfolio and Madame du Pompadour's, which had lovely blue straps!
Book Review: The Gardener of Versailles
I am very excited to share my review of The Gardener of Versailles: My Life in the World's Grandest Garden, which I recently featured on my my latest reading list! This book was just released February 11th, and I am hosting a giveaway for this new book this week!
18th century Madame as.....Goddesses and Virgins
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| Nattier, Jean-Marc, Madame de Caumartin as Hebe. Painting, 1753.National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC. |
18th century women in fancy dress, as goddesses and virgins. Which is your favorite?
Inspired by Herculaneum, styles fit for Marie Antoinette
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| Giovannia Battista Piranesi, Side Table. Gilt oak, lime wood, marble, 1768. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts. |
First Architect to the King
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| Jacques-Ange Gabriel, Chateau Fontainebleau. France, 1754. Hartill Art Associates Inc. |
Who wore it better?
Where did Marie Antoinette get her innovative fashion sense and style from? Could a little have been from her mother, Empress Maria Theresa? The Empress was also known to enjoy a good party every now and then. She adored dancing when she was younger, and her particular type of party was the masquerade! Here she is, decked out from head to toe in a Turkish costume, with mask, dressed for such a party.
But who wore it better? Below we have two exquisite portraits of two popular ladies, both in Turkish Costume (all the rage!) reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire. So what do you think?
Marie Theresa or Madame de Pompadour?
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| Martin van Meytens, Maria Theresa with a Mask in a Turkish Dress. 1744. Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. |
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| Charles André van Loo, Sultan's Wife Drinking Coffee. 1755, oil on canvas. State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. |
The Talented Artist: Monkey as a Painter
Jean-Siméon Chardin, Monkey as Painter. 1740. Musée du Louvre
Hurrah! Tis Friday! Before you all take off for your fabulous weekends, I thought I would share some artwork with you. This piece is by Chardin, who clearly had a great sense of humor. Here our monkey is displaying his talents by painting a finely set up still life.
The still life includes marble sculpture, glass and fabric, all textures are meant to show the range of his skill. Our little painter also portrays his care for the accurate as he rests his wrists to steady his hand, clearly a skilled life painter.
Below the still life you will see his large portfolio of works. This addition suggests that he has been painting for sometime and his talent apparent. Similar motifs can be seen in later works such as the following portrait of Madame du Pompadour who also had a passion for art. Notice both artists used blue satin ribbons to tie their portfolios, I think I would do the same!
Maurice-Quentin de La Tour, Madame de Pompadour. 1752, pastel. Musée du Louvre.
For your château? Potpourri Vessel
Potpourri "vessel", c.1760. Porcelain. Musée du Louvre.
This porcelain vessel is intended to hold fragrant potpourri. It is decorated in the Chinoiserie style, in a soft pink with gold, cream and green accents. Three men lounge and play a table game in the center of the vessel. The top is detailed with a faux piece of silk (also porcelain) decorated with gold fleur de lis across it. Madame de Pompadour had this piece on her mantel, would you have it in your château?
Jeanne-Antoinette: interior designer of sorts
Spring of 1746 found Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson pregnant, and her lover, Louis XV on his way out of town for a campaign. For a relaxing and restful spring, Madame du Pompadour was set up at the château de Crécy. The property she had always liked, it was a bit in the country, and not quite to Louis' taste ...yet. But to make sure she was both content and comfortable (the country would be nice while in her condition) he made the purchase, for the low price of 650,000 livres.Once settled in, resting was not her first priority. She jumped on the chance to put the ideas and designs she had schemed for the château in action. The renovations took about two years to complete, altering entire wings of the chateau. She even had the gardens redone!
Once it was completed she was able to entertain the entire court at the château. Theatre productions were put on and, of course, there were many nights spent gambling. Louis continued to visit the chateau and even in his later years would visit for the hunting grounds it provided.
She would spend a great part of her finances on buildings and decorating but Crécy was her first big project. She even had the gardens redone!Surprise! Giveaway!
If you are interested in learning more about Madame de Pompadour, or you are just in need of a good biography this month, enter to win a copy of:
Madame de Pompadour: Mistress of France
The give away begins today, and will end in ten days, closing Friday October 30th.
To enter, leave a comment on this post saying anything you would like about the infamous Mistress!
*additional entry*
If you send me a direct message on Twitter I will count that entry in addition to your comment here! (+2)
I will post the winner Saturday October 31st, good luck!
Give Away!
Here is a friendly reminder that there are only 3 more days to enter for your chance to win a prize for the Gossip Party Give-Away!
Details on how to enter are at the bottom of this post!
You Can Win...
Up for grabs are Marie Antoinette, (2006 Region 1,) directed by Sofia Coppola. Candy classic for your collection! The costumes (if you have not seen it) are amazing!
Also the fun & fabulous book Queen of Fashion by Caroline Weber. It really takes a close look at what Marie Antoinette wore and when she wore it. I swear it highlights the significance of each piece of taffeta!
Lastly we have Madame de Pompadour: Mistress of France, in hardcover. This book is so engaging it will keep the pages turning! It has some great images inside and you really get a clear image of life during the court of Louis XV!
Get your entries in,and don't forget to enter Heather's Give Away for your chance to win The Duchess (DVD) & Georgiana (biography!) And finally, good luck!!
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