Art du jour! La Jeune fille punie

Michel Garnier, La Jeune fille punie. Oil on canvas, 1794.  Sale Of Sotheby's Monaco: 6/16/1989.

Advice to Marie Antoinette

While thinking about Will and Kate's recent reception in Canada, as they are on their royal tour, I couldnt help but think of this story about Marie Antoinette. 

One day in 1771, when she was just 15 years old, a new bride and at her new home in France, she chose to walk on a beautiful day from Marly to Versailles.  Once word got out that the dauphine had embarked on a walk (about 5 miles) it was only natural for people to start gathering so that they could catch a glimpse of the young Dauphine! Here is the comte de Mercy's account:

"The people who had assembled to watch her pass were transported with joy. When she arrived at the entrance to the park of Versailles the Dauphine perceived a great crowd and disappeared like a flash, and still on foot."

So she arrived to Versailles and there were tons of people standing around, just waiting to catch a glimpse of her.  At 15, she started to run quickly away.  Mercy did not quite understand why she ran so he asked her about it.  She responded that she had ran away because there were so many people.  The clever comte took this moment as a learning experience and reminded her that she should pay attention to the people, greet them and let them see her while being graceful, and "not showing any repugnance."  Happy Friday!