Art du Jour! The Talented Artist: Sir Monkey

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.

Petit Trianon

 Have you ever noticed the architecture of Petit Trianon?  The pavilion-esque building is surrounded by gardens in English and French styles. With such a simple exterior the gardens really brought beauty to the building.  Filled with flowers of all varieties, they were exactly what Marie Antoinette loved which helped to make the place ideal for her.

Image source: Flickr

Marie Antoinette did not design the building, although it was given to her as a gift from her Louis shortly after he was crowned king.  It was originally built by Louis XV's architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel between 1762 and 1768.  Petit Trianon became Gabriel's best known work.

The columns that decorate the building are Corinthian, the most spiritual order.  Built with smooth stone masonry, Petit Trianon stands two stories high, with quarters below for the staff.  The building is square in shape measuring eighty ft long, plenty of room for intimate parties and guests!