October 16th, marked the 227th anniversary of the execution of Marie Antoinette. In honour of her memory, this post focuses on the portraits of the ill-fated young woman who would one day become queen of France - and end her days on the scaffold.
Marie Antoinette was born on 2 November 1755 and became Dauphine of France upon her marriage to Louis Auguste on 16 May 1770. When negotiating her marriage, one of her strongest, physical characteristics was her flawless skin - described as a perfect mixture of milk and roses. Finally, she would ascend the throne on 10 May 1774.
The Archduchess (1755-1769)
1) The very first image of the new-born girl whose life would end so tragically - the artist behind it is unknown but the large eyes are remarkably similar to later portraits of her.
2) One of the lesser known portraits of the very young Marie Antoinette, this aquarelle was the work of Johann Christoph von Reinsperger.
3) The 7-year old archduchess was painted in this blue gown with pink/blue bows and pearly white laces by Jean-Étienne Liotard in 1762. The portrait clearly shows her remarkably slim waist - even for a child of her age. It would be that very waist that would make her unwilling to wear the rigid French corsets demanded by court etiquette at Versailles.
4) Liotard had a busy year in 1762 with the imperial Austrian family. Besides the first portrait mentioned, he made an entire series of the numerous children of Maria Theresia. This particular one shows Maria Antonia and looks remarkably different to the one he made of her earlier that year.
5) A sisterly portrait depicting Marie Antoinette (aged 8-9 and wearing pink) with her sister Marie Caroline (cut out, but wearing blue). The two were good friends despite their different natures - whereas the young Antonia was pliable and amiable, Carolina was far more headstrong and independent.
6) The imperial family of Austria was depicted by Martin van Meytens in 1764-65. As one of the youngest children, Antonia can be spotted almost in the background. The portrait above is a detail of the complete painting.
7) The style of this portrait by an anonymous artist is very different than any of the other portraits made of the young archduchess. Dating back to 1767, Marie was 12 years old when she was painted in this electric blue gown.
8) One of the most famous portraits of the young Marie Antoinette, this one was also painted in 1767. It has generally been attributed to the court painter Martin van Meytens. However, despite being widely associated with Antoinette, the portrait has been the focus of some speculation. Some point out that it looks remarkably much like one of her sisters, particularly Maria Carolina.
9) Dressed up in suitably French fashion, this was the portrait sent to Louis Auguste in 1769, to give him a likeness of the girl who was to become his wife. It was painted by Joseph Ducreux.
10) For some reason, Marie Antoinette was often depicted wearing deep blue while still living at the Viennese court. This particular portrait was finished in 1769 by Franz Xavier Wagenschön and shows the young girl occupied with one of her favourite pastimes: music. This would be one of her last portraits painted as an Austrian archduchess as she would be married shortly afterwards.
11) Another portrait by Ducreux, the young woman looks almost like a doll with her perfect porcelain skin and large, blue eyes.
12) A slightly earlier portrait of the archduchess by Joseph Hauzinger who painted Marie in around 1765. Note how different the style of gown is to her French counterparts - it is far more simplistic in the skirt itself.
The Dauphine (1770- May 1774)
13) Joseph Ducreux would return to paint the new dauphine in 1770, shortly after her wedding. The result was the charming portrait of a young, refined girl in delicate pink ruffles. The royal ermine has discreetly been draped over her shoulder and the golden fleur-de-lis can just be spotted over the other - clearly marking her new allegiance.
14) The inspiration for this portrait was the one above - hence the very similar facial expression and pose. The painter was Jean-Baptiste Charpentier the Elder who completed the portrait in 1770.
15) A far more masculine portrait is this by Joseph Kranzinger who painted the dauphine in 1772. Marie Antoinette wore a riding habit of red velvet and a black tricorne hat - the female riding habits of the time were basically male attire slightly altered to fit the female body. When she arrived at Versailles, Marie Antoinette did not know how to ride which proved an obstacle in her marriage and her position at court. The French court had always had a lasting love affair with hunting and her new husband was an ardent hunter himself. Thus, in an effort to get closer to him, the young dauphine learned to ride and sent this portrait to her mother.
16) Back in far more regal attire, this 1773 portrait by Drouais shows a young woman impeccably dressed according to French fashion: high, sleek hair, diamond-encrusted choker and intricate silk gown. The luxury is not a coincidence, as she is dressed in full court costume or grand habit. Later, this would be used as a reference for a tapestry made at Gobelins in 1775. The portrait is currently in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
17) Painted at the age of 16 by Joseph Kreutzinger in 1771. It is far more ethereal than the other portraits and she seems almost ghostly. Rather interestingly, at Versailles, Marie Antoinette was dressed far more in shades of pink than in the blue of her childhood.
18) Another portrait by Drouais, this one is of the very popular allegorical type. For centuries, the kings of France (and elsewhere) had themselves painted as various deities - this particular time, Marie Antoinette is Hebe, the goddess of youth. It was commissioned by Louis XV in 1772 and marked for his study at Chantilly alongside a portrait of the Comtesse de Provence as the goddess Diana. It remained there until the revolution.
No comments:
Post a Comment