Aurora and Cephalus

Boucher, François and Maurice Jacques. Aurora and Cephalus, 1775-76. Wool and silk tapestry, Hofburg Palace, Austria.

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.

Reading Material: Dangerous Talk: Scandalous, Seditious, and...

"...soon 'there would be no king and it would be worse than in France."

November, 1792

While authors of scandalous French libels escaped France for the safety freedom of Grub Street, England would soon be taking a closer look at their own press. Hanoverian rule during the early part of the 18th century was a time of freedom for the English to discuss politics and have opinions openly and without fear of (severe) punishment. A slap on the wrist and a fine for saying the king is a turd does not seem too bad considering the woes of earlier offenders.

Dangerous Talk: Scandalous, Seditious, and Treasonable Speech in Pre-Modern England, by David Cressy, takes you on a walk through medieval England and Tudor England before dropping you off in the 18th century where progress and a return to censorship converge.

Each time I opened the book was instantly transported into a sweaty pub or dusty street, surrounded by neighbors discussing the latest in politics, and not in the best light. Some conversations are ignorant, some are palpable, and most are drunk. Dangerous Talk is an eye opening view of what people thought outside of the tower gates and how the monarchy chose to handle them. Each monarchy took a slightly different approach to punishing offenders, creating new laws and resurrecting ancient ones. The unsuspecting or vehement citizens expressed their opinions, feelings and ideas which we, two hundred years later, revisit thanks to Cressy's rich research.

Like those in Middlesex, who knew of Margaret Hicks, you will not soon forget her scandalous story. In a conversation with her neighbor, she flat out cursed King George, with no remorse. Sensing the heated and treasonable words, her thoughtful neighbor reminded her to watch her tongue, but to no avail. The insufferable Ms. Hicks then continued to curse the king, offered threats with her flatware and dismissed any concern over being punished for it. Imagine the gossip after she was sent…well let’s just say 1719 was not her best year.

And who could forget all the talk about Elizabeth Tudor's lovers and bastards? Not Thomas Holland of Essex. After hearing a little rumour about her majesty's pregnancy, his urge to share the news with the town overcame him. But would the penalty be both ears, one hundred pounds, or something worse?

Even with characters like Anne Boleyn sitting on the throne, your words could cost you. That is what Margaret Chaunseler learned after calling Anne a "goggled-eyed whore."

Cressy brings to light friendly and fiery conversations from behind pub walls. You may safely assume that to be drunk and speak politics is never a good combination, especially with the neighbors! I carried this one around for a while, revisiting the historical world Cressy has put together for us quite often. Scholarly in nature and light in tone, Dangerous Talk is an intriguing glimpse into the private thoughts and public punishment of neighbors in pre-modern England.

You can get a copy of Dangerous Talk from:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Oxford University Press

Marie Antoinette: Height Issues?

"She has a most graceful figure; holds herself well; and if, as may be hoped, she grows a little taller, she will possess every good quality one could wish for in a great princess. Her heart and character are both excellent."

This statement was made when she was around 13. There have been many debates on how tall Antoinette actually was, the number is unknown for sure. Speculation has found her to be anywhere from as tall as 5'6'' and a shorter 5'25''.

5'6'' would be rather tall for the 18th century lady. As she had been observed and described we must remember she would always be found in her fashionable heeled shoes, and miles high poufs. Along with posture fit for a queen (and helped by those grand corsets), she would certainly appear tall to contemporaries. She also had better nutrition than most. It can be agreed she was somewhere between the two but I would say closer to 5'25''.

By the 18th century height was at an all time low! (between the 9th -18th cent.'s) Yes, people grew shorter. The 18th century population was on average 2.5 inches shorter than their medieval ancestors.

If someone would be so kind as to measure the length of the death mask at Madame Tussaud's we can get an idea of how tall Marie Antoinette's height was based on the ideal cannon of proportions! (I know, that is dark) Too bad we do not have any exact numbers...