Marie Antoinette and Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire, friends and trendsetters

Meghan asked...

Now that I'm reading "Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire" after reading "Queen of Fashion" there has been a question nagging at me: Who wore the pouf first--Marie-Antoinette or Georgiana? In "Georgiana" it says she was the first to wear the "three-foot tower" and the first to wear ostrich feathers, but I thought Antoinette did it first. Or is it that Georgiana was the first to introduce the styles specifically in England? I feel like they can't have independently and simultaneously come up with the idea.
Anyone know?


Heather and I put our thoughts together on this one for you!

François Hubert Drouais, Marie Rinteau, called Mademoiselle de Verrières. 1761, oil on canvas. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Before Marie Antoinette was Queen the style of hair for ladies had already started to grow (upwards that is). Here are portraits done in 1761 and 1769 for example. When Marie took the (fashion) wheel in France it was popular for hair to be piled up on the head, with large curls in the back.

Jean Honoré Fragonard, A Woman with a Dog. 1769, oil on canvas. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A Pouf was known as such because of the large variety and number of items it could hold! A big cushion for art! A popular theme of a pouf was aux sentiments because the objects it held were what the wearer liked best. A reflection of the 'poufee' if you will. 

These hair styles  had the power to convey very important (and not so important) messages, sometimes even political messages.  The style below was created for Marie Antoinette by Leonard in celebration of the French victory in the bataille d’Ouessant.

Marie Antoinette's Coiffure de l'indépendance ou Le triomphe de la liberté. Franco-American Museum at the Chateau de Blérancourt.

Hair with a message = Antoinette

It was these various pouf styles that were being discovered and pioneered by our favorite duo, Antoinette and Georgiana.

Feathers in the hair was an established trend, but an ambassador from France brought Georgiana a big full feather and she took it upon herself to make popular huge ostrich feathers in the late 70's.
English hair was tall and Georgie pioneered the ever-so difficult three tower pouf.

Satirical Print, A hint to the ladies to take care of their heads. 1776, mezzotint. The British Museum.

Huge tall hair = Georgiana 

French hair was tall, but not as tall, however it held innumerable scenes of art and the craftsmanship was incredible.

Phaetona or Modern Female Taste, Published by M. Darly. Nov. 6, 1776, etching and engraving. British Museum.

The image of ladies sitting on the floor of carriages was Georgie's doing, and there is the incredible story of a pouf Antoinette had made for a party, but it had to be taken down so that she could enter the doorway of the soiree! Once she got through the door they had to rebuild it.

Lauren & Heather

18th century chamber music by Danzi

Adolph Menzel, Frederick the Great Gives a Flute Concert in Sanssouci. 1850-1852. Alte Nationalgalerie.

Enjoy 30 minutes of 18th century chamber music composed by Franz Ignaz Danzi (1763 – 1826). Chamber music is composed for and preformed by a small group of musicians that could fit easily into a chamber (hence the name!) Below is Danzi's Wind Quintet Opus 67, Nos. 2-3 performed by the Soni Ventorum Wind Quintet.

Secrets of an 18th century table

The Metropolitan Museum of art has a wonderful collection of 18th century furniture, which you can admire from the galleries. But some furniture has more to offer than a single function and the museum has shared a video showing the secret behind one such table.   This is an 18th century game table in action!  (watch the video it is amazing!)

Out of the Salon!

Doing a little bit of travel to London and Edinburgh for the next two weeks.  (vacation...conferencing...pub crawling...etc...)  I was going to try to use the 'blogging' app on my phone (just incase I come across somethign awesome and have to share it!) but I am not sure how well it will work.  I had no luck using the Nike+ app on my phone so I am not feeling too optimistic. I will be updating on twitter though!

Until then!

Joyeux anniversaire to Jean-Honoré Fragonard!

To mark the birthday of  Jean-Honoré Fragonard, I thought we could take a look back at some fun posts about the famous artist who worked throughout the eighteenth century.

Read about the internship/job market (in the 18th century of course) How Fragonard got started in the art world.

Oh, for modesty's sake! Take a look at The New Model as she bears all for a first time sitting.

Mythology impresses with Fragonard's Fantastic Figures

Learn about how Fragonard's business savvy got him through hard times.

The Stolen Kiss in detail...

One of my favorite works by the artist is the beautiful, almost dream-perfect The Gardens of the Villa d'Este

One of the most popular series on this blog is about Fragonard's Progress of Love.  This is a 4 part series that takes a close look at the paintings originally commissioned for Madame du Barry.  Some people find it romantic others tragic...

1. The Progress of Love: The Pursuit 
2. The Progress of Love: The Meeting
3. The Progress of Love: The Lover Crowned
4. The Progress of Love: The Love Letters

Favorites: Portrait of Marie Antoinette

François Dumont, Portrait of the Queen Marie Antoinette with her children. Late 18th century, paint on ivory. Musée du Louvre

I love all the details of this painting, down to Marie Antoinette's blue silky shoes and hat. But what is really interesting (and I do not think you would know by looking at the image...) this portrait is only about 8x5 inches big!

The Diligent Mother

Jean-Siméon Chardin,  The Diligent Mother. 1740, painting.  Musée du Louvre.