Queens of Drag

It's no secret that I'm a fan of RuPaul's Drag race ever since it graced my television...however many seasons ago. The current season, for those who don't religiously watch, is their second All-Star Season, which means there's some quality queens competing to snatch that crown. The last episode may as well have said 'To Heather, Love, Ru' because the queens were all assigned to be 'queens from herstory', with the legend, Detox, impersonating Marie Antoinette and Southern belle extraordinaire, Ginger Minj, getting assigned with Catherine the Great.

I had to collect myself after that announcement.

Both queens turned it out. Minj's Catherine gown was surprisingly accurate - I love how she included the order star.

Detox went for what judge, Jeremy Scott termed, 'Neontoinette' which was kitschy fun (just like Marie Antoinette in pop culture, so why not?). I also appreciated the fact that she powdered her whole upper half in preparation and had a nearly perfect diamond necklace affair around her neck.

Ironically, both queens performed to songs concerning the great myths that are attached to them: Marie Antoinette saying 'Let them eat cake' and Catherine the Great's erm...great love for horses. But it's all in good fun, and that's exactly what this episode was FUN. 

You can watch the latest episode on Logo.

What Would Marie Antoinette Eat?

Thanks to the direction of Heidenkind, I have spent the whole morning watching The Supersize Eaters; a show I know of....but always forget the name of.  I have a feeling many are familiar with the show and maybe even familiar with the episode that centers on Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI's meals.  If not, you are in for a treat! 

The first part of the video can be seen here and then the rest linked to.  I just can't decide what is more interesting: the crazy (and amount of!) food the royals ate or the humorous banter of the hosts (Sue and Giles) who genuinely look like they enjoy making the show.  Here they are playing billiards, an 18th century means of aiding digestions:

Wait, that looks familiar....hmmm.

Hannah More on Marie Antoinette's Charges

When news reached England of Marie Antoinette's trial, British citizens, despite their quarrels with the French, were absolutely disgusted.  The opinionated Hannah More, like most women, was especially disgusted when charges were brought against the queen for incest,

"It is so diabolical, that if they had studied an invention on purpose to whitewash her from every charge, they could not have done it more effectively."

Georgiana on Count Fersen

Axel von Fersen, the Swedish soldier and count, is not known for any great victories on the battlefield or in politics. His celebrity came from the attention he received from a certain queen of France. Although there is no solid evidence of Marie Antoinette and Count Fersen's relationship being more than platonic, it was still a hot topic among the various European courts. In other words: Ladies, he is off limits.

Of course that didn't stop Bess from making out with him and then feigning guilt as she wrote to Georgiana about the dalliance. Georgiana, herself, couldn't really see what all the fuss was about when she met him in 1786:

"He is reckoned ugly here, because from the idea of Mrs. B's liking him, a great beauty was expected. He has delightful eyes, the finest countenance that can be, the most gentleman like air. Thank God I an't in love with him."

The Duke of Dorset Writes to Georgiana

News from France!

In April of 1786 the Duke wrote to Georgiana to fill her in on the latest gossip. "The little Po [the duchesse de Polignac] is preparing to set out..." for her awaited visit to Georgiana. He reported that "poor Mrs. B" [Marie Antoinette] was in true despair about the loss of her friend and green with envy about not being able to join the happy party in England. In fact, he said, it seemed as if a whole "colony" was going to London. Even the Queen's other favourite, the princesse de Lamballe had requested leave to Brighthelmstone, but the Duke was doubtful whether Antoinette would be willing to part with her. "Mrs. B told her she would think about it before she mentioned her wishes to the King, and yesterday she sent me (Mrs. B) to desire to see me on Saturday morning so I am afraid [her voyage depends upon my advice], which I am sorry for, as I cannot judge the propriety or impropriety of her being in a place with the P. of W. and Mrs. F..." It would appear the antics of the Prince were about to ruin the Princesse's planned holiday!

Immortal Companion: Doña María Ana de Pontejos

One of the most noticeable aspects of this paintings is that the sitter's pug was painted with more care than the sitter. Unfortunately, I can't tell you much about either the sitter or her pug, which doesn't stay entirely true to this series I created, but I can tell you that Francisco Goya was another artist obsessed with his dogs. Therefore, the pug probably kept his interest longer than the Marquesa de Pontejos.

María Ana was painted here in 1786 to mark her marriage to Spain's ambassador to Portugal, who also just happened to be the prime minister's brother. Very political. As was typical with a bridal portrait, she holds a pink carnation as a symbol of love. Her beloved pug steps before her in an act of protection, cementing his employment in the painting as a symbol of loyalty.

But, this is also, and very importantly, a painting of fashion!

By 1786, Marie Antoinette's Triannon fashion had finally trickled down to Spain, who seemed to be always be a fashionably late country in the 18th century. Although the marquesa attempts to mimic the free-flowing Triannon style, her gown is still extremely Spanish. After all, that tight corset was what Marie Antoinette strove to get away from with her Gualle gowns. However she does capture the essence of those gowns with the flower details and the thin white muslin fabric. Her 'doo and straw hat are also tres tres Antoinette. Of course, as a fashionable lady, María Ana's pug has an outfit that matches his mistress'. His pink ribbon with bells (so he can't get lost in the garden) is from the same ream of ribbon as the one tied around her waste. As James St James wisely states, fashionable companions should match; "Be sure that your partner doesn't clash with your look. Plan ahead and execute together."

Immortal Companion: Madame de Pompadour

Although I was about to kill my dog today when I found my new shoes out of their box (and bag!) and on the rug; box destroyed, shoes unharmed (thank the fashion gods!)...I will still proceed with my planned entries on man's best friend, even if mine is in the doghouse right now.

Originally, I had planned to go on about an English bloke and his favourite dog but then this whole event got me thinking, "how many times did this happen to Marie Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour?" Just picturing those fabulous heels in pieces can make a fashion-conscious art historian tear up. These two notorious Rococo ladies were both very fond of their pooches. However, Pompadour was usually portrayed with hers.

Madame de Pompadour, or Jean-Antoinette, was depicted with her beloved pooches in most of her portraits. Of course, the dog is a symbol of loyalty so putting them in her portrait could have also served a dual purpose of displaying her loyalty to the king (and boy was she loyal!) and immortalizing her pet. Her two most well known ones were named Mimi and Inés. It was even rumoured that she would deck her dogs in golden collars that were nicer than some of the courtiers' own jewels.

I am pretty sure that in this particular painting by Boucher, Jean-Antoinette is depicted with her own dog, although I wish I knew which one, Mimi or Inés. The fuzzy one in question chaperones his mistress on the garden bench she placed him on while she poses. Notice the collar. He is a papillon, a breed that was portrayed more than once by master artists and loved not only by Jean-Antoinette but also Marie-Antoinette. Although Spanish in origin, the papillions acquired their French name, meaning butterfly, due to their foxy ears which look like butterfly wings. Unlike other portraits of Jean which exert her education, good breeding, and how hot she is; this portrayal shows the marquise in a rococo-girl wonderland. She is enjoying being out in her in garden with her papillon wearing a FABULOUS gown. She has nothing to prove in this picture except perhaps her great wardrobe, her Enlightenment, and how good she and her loyal companion look together.

Straw Hats

Straw hats remained one of the basic and popular types of hats throughout most of the 18th century. Of course there were rules outlining the appropriate time and place to wear such hats, so as to not look like one of, ya know, the common folk. These rules were especially fervent in France (of course) where Lauren tells me, you couldn't wear such hats after 11am. Most of these rules had to do with the style of the hat, which displayed the wearer's connection to nature. However, nature would definitely not be allowed in say, the opera and was not appropriate during the cold months. No sir, these were pastoral hats, meant to evoke the feeling of nature in the warm months. The chapeau a la cérès, named after the goddess of Harvest, contained sprigs of wheat on it. In addition to wheat many straw hats were trimmed with ribbons and flowers and, of course, feathers. This style of hat, was especially popular in the 1780's while Marie Antoinette created crazes with her casual Triannon styles.

1. 1760
2. 1797
3. 1785
4. 1783-5
5. 1784
6. 1789
7. 1786
8. after 1782
   

Puce

Puce is perhaps a better topic (and colour) for Marie Antoinette's Gossip Guide, but it was very much of interest to fashionable gentry in England as well!

The invention of "puce" is an amusing story in itself. Every fashion in France had to have a special name and these ranged from the basic to the downright humorous (ie: dauphin's poo). The socially awkward Louis never knew how to tell his wife how to ease up on the extravagant fashions and attempted many methods that all failed. Being straightforward is always the best policy says I! One day when he walked in on the queen trying on a new dress, he attempted to discourage her with the mean humour common at court. As Caroline Weber tells, in Queen of Fashion, "When the Queen asked her husband how he liked the confection, which was made from taffeta of an odd pinkish-tan hue, he replied laconically: 'It is the color of a flea [puce].'" The plan backfired, and the queen (and everyone else with her) loved the nickname for the colour and it stuck.

When Lady Spencer visited France in 1775 she noticed the trend in full-force,

"I have no material intelligence to give you except that you can wear no colour that is not either dos de puce or ventre de puce, it is the uniform at Fontainebleau and the only colour that can be worn..."

A few days later she wrote again to Georgiana to tell her she bought her a coat of ventre de puce but had yet to find her something nice in dos de puce. The following month Lady Clermont wrote to Georgiana to tell her

"[Marie Antoinette] has desire'd me to wear the uniform, which is a polonaise, couleur de puce."

I'm guessing she did too! You can't reject fashion advice from the Queen of Fashion! It is probably safe to say that the Empress of Fashion (as Walpole dubbed Georgiana) had already sent in her order for a polonaise in puce as soon as these letters had reached her.

State Portraits of England and France

When a monarch (and his consort) rose to power, one of the best things to do to assert their awesome ability to rule a country was to paint them in all their glory. These fantastic paintings, known as state portraits, differ from other 18th century portraits because they expressed a political ideal of an all-powerful being. Decked out on in coronation robes, the full-length monarch holds their royal regalia in a timeless setting that displays their wealth. The portraits were meant to generate awe, and when you see them in person, your mouth does kind of hang open.




















Of course I love comparing the English aesthetic to the French. King George and Queen Charlotte had no choice but to allow Joshua Reynolds to do their portraits since he was the head of the Royal Academy. They much preferred Gainsborough (who painted many portraits of them and their family) because of his personal views and style of painting; but decorum deemed they had to have Reynolds paint them. The result is a rather dark portrait duo. In Reynold's brown hues the two monarchs are seated at their thrones, looking as if they are being crushed by their heavy uniforms of state.

Now here comes those young kids who are ruling France! Judging by Louis' portrait you would never know the deathly shy, naive, scared little boy that is contained under the gold fleur de lys. He stands in his finery, a true descendant of the Sun King. His crown does not lay on his head but is on a pillow in the background as a reminder that yes, this is your king. Marie's portrait is quite interesting. While it compliments her husband's, it also is a testament to her purpose as France's consort: a union with Austria. While she is also decked out in France colours, flowers, and symbols she still shows a bit of her Austrian roots which she had to give up upon her marriage. On the table beside her sits a pillow with both a Hapsburg rose and the French lily, showing the uniting of countries. It is the only small hint at her true orgins. Meanwhile, those French lilies are popping out everywhere! Fresh lilies are placed in the folds of her grand corps gown, asserting her devotion to France, as well as making her smell really good while she was sweating during the painting of the portrait!

It's Marie's Birthday, Let's PARTY!

Happy B-day to a BFF of Georgie's, the Archduchess of Fabulous, Marie Antoinette. To celebrate, Joy over at Cupid's Charm is holding a Birthday Soiree, and everyone is invited! She asked us to post an item we have made or purchased, inspired by Marie. God knows, I have made many purchases in the sacred name of Marie Antoinette, but I thought I would post these shoes I whipped together for my Halloween costume this year. They are nothing spectacular but you get the picture!


So join the celebration and check out the soiree at Cupid's Charm today!

Vatene in Pace Alma Beata e Bella

As Lauren reminded us today, it is the sad 215th anniversary of Marie Antoinette's execution. For the best visual of how horrible this experience was for her I would recommend reading, My Lady Scandalous by Jo Manning, who paints a horrifying picture of how awful this execution really was (blood, guts, stink, the whole bit).

As you can imagine, Georgiana was distraught when she heard of her friend's death. She was haunted by the image of her final moments:

"The impression of the Queen's death is constantly before my eyes, how anxious I am to know how my dr sister will bear it.* Besides the admiration that is universally felt for her and the horror at the barbarians, her answers, her cleverness, composure, greatness of mind blaze forth in double splendour, and the horror of making the child appear against her is what one shd have hop'd that the mind of man was incapible of..."

*Harriet met MA while she got her education in a French Convent and was also close to the queen.

Feather Fanatics

If you recall the post on feathers a few months ago detailing Georgiana's notorious love of feathers you might like what Lauren posted today. I am forever amused in the many ways Louis XVI passively attempted to curb Marie Antoinette's fashion appetites.

Tea for Two

Lauren and I were discussing the dinnerware of our favourite ladies which turned into an exchange of china. But why should we hog all this fabulous information to ourselves? There has got to be others out there who would also like to see Marie Antoinette and Georgiana's respected dining sets. The above is what I ran across at a visit to Chatsworth and you will find Marie's Petite Triannon set here.

Mother Knows Best

It is an understatement to say that there were many similarities between Marie Antoinette and Georgiana, in life, personality, and company. Maybe the reason for their parallel lives is their extremely similar mothers. Through their lives their mothers wrote to them frequently, bestowing their motherly advice. Both ladies struggled to please their mothers but found it hard, especially with all the wonderful temptations out in the world. So Lauren and I would like to present a new series so we can bestow the well-meant advice of Lady Spencer and Maria Theresa on you, so you can ignore it as well. While Marie Antoinette's Gossip Guide updates you on Maria Theresa's ideas for perfection, I shall relay Lady Spencer's.

But first, here is a little bit about the busy-body Spencer matron.

Born Georgiana Poyntz, she married John Spencer, the 1st Earl of Spencer in 1755. Their courtship was short, John was totally smitten with her. He proposed to her by quickly drawing her aside before she left for home one night and presenting her with a diamond and ruby ring, engraved inside it, in French, it read "My heart is yours. Keep it well." She was smart, fluent in Greek, and a lover and composer of music. She was also very opinionated. Georgiana was her first child, and Lady Spencer found herself totally in love with the baby girl (see the above Reynolds). She remained her favorite child of the couple's three. It is probably because of this over-affection that Lady Spencer put so much pressure on Georgiana to make the right decisions. This advice never ceased throughout Georgiana's marriage and to the end of her life.

"Here commences our correspondence, my dear Georgiana from which I propose myself more real pleasure than I can express, but the greatest part of it will vanish if I do not find you treat me with that entire Confidence that my heart expects."

September 25, 1774

Mrs Rat and her Friends

Nicknames were prevalent in the age of letters. In fact, whole new dialects seem to be created by the aristocracy, such as the "Cavendish drawl" which the Devonshire House circle spoke in. each member of the circle seemed to have a nickname. Although some origins are obvious, others are quite perplexing. These nicknames were the usual form of address in casual letters, although we cannot be so sure how often they were used vocally.













Duchess of Devonshire Mrs. Rat













Duke of Devonshire Canis, due to his affection for dogs.












Lady Bess Foster Racky













Duchess de Polignac Little Po













Marie Antoinette, Mrs. B[rown], Louis was, of course, Mr. B












Richard Brinsley Sheridan Argus












Charles James Fox The Eyebrow, due to his enormous eyebrows











Lady Jersey The Infernal












Duke of Richmond Goodwin












Prince of Wales Prinny










Charles, Earl Grey Black












Duke of Dorset Pride









Frederick, Viscount Duncannon (Harriet's husband) Harum, due to his love of pranks

Bess had her own unique nickname with the Spencers: the Chief Councellor.

You Just Can't Outdo the Queen of France

I've had time to chill, and I still hate the poster. Let's compare it to Marie Antoinette's poster. Both women led fun, extravagant lives, had lame husbands, affairs and hardships, and were fashion icons. Which poster best expresses this?

Happy Bastille Day!

What a funny holiday! Well, not funny but peculiar. It is more symbolic of the start of the French Revolution than the actual storming of the Bastille which resulted in freeing mostly old men and pedophiles. Vive le France! My sick sense of humor aside, the storming was a frightening event. An event that Georgiana just narrowly missed being a part of.

The Devonshire clan had been visiting in Paris but on July 8, 1789 the Duke of Devonshire had tired of the city and decided they should move on. Before they left, Georgiana paid a visit to Versailles to say goodbye to two of her dearest friends, the Duchesse de Polignac and Marie Antoinette. Tensions were high in France but none of the women expected that these could be their final goodbyes to each other.

The party was in Brussels on July 14th when they received word of the storming of the Bastille and the horrors of the riots. Georgiana recorded that the Duke weeped in fear that his daughter Charlotte (from his mistress Charlotte Spencer) who was living in Paris would be harmed in the frightening events. Charlotte wasn't the only bastard of his he feared for in Paris, his daughter with Bess, Caroline St. Jules was also there. By July 18th, Georgiana's friend James Hare had written that Charlotte was safe and gave her a full account of the horrors he was seeing in Paris.

Although the Whig party was supportive of the French Revolution, being so close to it frightened Georgiana even as an "Englishwoman." Her premonition proved accurate when the mob soon turned on anything British due to Marie Antoinette's anglophilic tendencies. The British embassy was one of these victims. Georgiana was safe but she feared for her French friends, especially Marie Antoinette, who insisted her friends escape while she stayed behind to face her people.