Marie Antoinette at the Victoria and Albert Museum (Part 2)

 

Be careful, the exhibition of the gowns and paraphernalia of Marie Antoinette at the V and A, like that of any wealthy figure head in history, be it the church royalty or our own billionaire celebrity's pulls you into admiration, but what must always be remembered is that this exhibition is really a celebration of the incredible knowledge and skills of French and European designers and crafts people. This whole exhibition is of many an 'unknown maker', whose talents and abilities to create beauty was phenomenal.

 'Robe à la Française' (above and below) made as ever by some incredible but 'unknown' maker 1775-1780.

 

Cream satin gowns were the height of fashion at Marie Antoinette's court providing the perfect canvas to embellish with embroidery, ribbons and trims. This particular gown is embroidered with multi-coloured flowers, embellished with padded bands of sky blue satin, lace, net and chenille fringing with tassels of looped ribbon, feathers and raffia.

Above and below: a 'Brunswick' Unknown maker 1765-75,  it was a two piece ensemble consisting of a short robe á la française with a hood and detachable sleeves worn with a matching petticoat. This type of garment was originally a German travelling dress which became popular informal fashion in 1760's. This example is watered silk and linen.

I am stopping for Christmas now but will be sharing more soon. Have a happy holiday.

Marie Antoinette at the Victoria and Albert Museum (Part 1)

Few can be unaware of the current glittering exhibition, at V&A Kensington, London until March 22nd 2026, of the clothing relating to the wardrobe of the controversial, vilified, spendthrift, French Queen Marie Antoinette (1755-1793).

 

Above: Marie Antoinette and Louis Auguste in their wedding outfits-French National Archives. The couple were formally wed at Versailles 16 May 1770. For her wedding Marie wore a French style court gown of Parisian silver brocade silk gifted to her by her mother, the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.

The gown in the exhibition, pictured here, is a copy of a dress worn by Marie Antoinette's sister in law The Contesse d'Artois. It is the wedding gown of Duchess Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotta (later Queen of Sweden). It is constructed of Brocaded silk, silver thread, metal and whalebone and was made in 1774 by an unknown maker. 

Above: Portrait of Duchess Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotta in her wedding gown.

Marie Antoinette was to be incredibly influential with her extravagant style across Europe and beyond. This exhibition aims to reclaim the narrative away from her cake-eating legacy and explore whether the villainy that lead to her execution by guillotine was justified. 

Above:Jacques-Louis David, Marie Antoinette on Her Way to the Guillotine, 1793, Louvre, Paris, France.

Unfortunately Marie's belongings were also destroyed in the revolution and so the exhibition is comprised of clothing that was made at the time to emulate her style, as well as her other belongings and influences in interiors etc.

Great post about the queens dress here for further reading.