Marie Antoinette: A Legacy of Style and Excess
At Jean-Marc Fray Antiques, we have been connoisseurs of the Louis XVI style for decades. From lighting and furniture to architecture, the classic and neoclassic details of the French Louis XVI style is one of the most sought after, and for good reason. The symmetry, attention to craftsmanship, and timeless impact make this style a perfect blend in almost any space. This elegant and refined style, named after the French king who ruled during the late 18th century, has been a favorite among collectors and designers for centuries and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.
Though the era is named for Louis XVI, much of its creative spark came from Louis XVI’s wife, Marie Antoinette and the artists she patroned. While she met a tragic end, she lived her life as a true style icon. Historically she was a figure representing the worst of wealth and monarchy, yet culturally she has become a symbol of fashion, taste, and style.
“One of the most observed, criticized, and fascinating queens in history, Marie Antoinette embodies both excess and refined beauty. An Austrian archduchess who became Queen of France, she profoundly influenced the European tastes and fashion of her time, imposing a distinctive style that still resonates universally today… It is the legacy of a celebrity… but also the story of a woman whose power of seduction remains intact. Her journey has been reinterpreted and adapted by each generation.” -Sarah Grant, curator for the V&A Museum
Marie Antoinette’s Story
At just 14 years old, young Marie Antoinette left Austria to marry the future king of France, Louis XVI. At the age of 18, in 1774, Louis XVI was crowned the King of France and she became queen. While she was reluctant to embrace the very public and formal roles of the Royal French family, she quickly adopted their penchant for fashion, excess, and luxury.
The Palace of Versailles had been the home of the French monarchy since the 17th century and was also the center of French fashion. Soon after becoming queen, Marie Antoinette was gifted the Petit Trianon, a small village or chateau on the grounds of Versailles. She was allowed to renovate to her own taste, which began her legacy of heavy spending and excess.
Her investment in fashion and gambling also led to one of the most important and fashionable courts in history. She made big changes throughout her dominance – adopting English fashion, abandoning previous traditions such as heavy makeup, and calling for a simpler feminine look. While the country was facing financial crises, the queen continued to spend on fashion and luxury.
Marie Antoinette was the patron of painter Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun. While Vigée Le Brun painted over 30 portraits of the Queen and family, there were a few that stand out for their impact on history. In 1783, she painted “Marie-Antoinette en Gaulle” which showcased the Queen in a simple, muslin dress seen as an undergarment. This understated view was deemed improper and began a scandal in French culture. The painting was quickly removed, and repainted. Yet, the damage was done to Marie Antoinette’s reputation.
In 1787, in an attempt to improve the Queen’s image, Vigée Le Brun painted “Marie Antoinette and her Children.” This shows the Queen in her home and mothering her children, attempting to show her as a maternal figure. Her three living children are included, while an empty bassinet represents her late daughter.
While Marie Antoinette is admired today for her influence on fashion and interiors, those same displays of luxury fueled her downfall. As France sank deeper into poverty and revolution stirred, she and Louis XVI became symbols of excess and indifference. Pamphlets and rumors spread painting her as callous to her people’s suffering. The court of Louis XVI faced numerous challenges, including economic difficulties, social unrest, political upheaval, and ultimately was unable to prevent the French Revolution which led to their downfall. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were ultimately executed during the Reign of Terror in 1793.
Louis XVI’s reign is associated with a period of opulence and extravagance in French history, particularly in the realm of decorative arts and furniture design, which have had a lasting impact on the world of interior design. Though this association led to their demise, Marie Antoinette’s taste for the finer things has continued to make her an iconic historical figure in fashion, design, and beyond.
Marie Antoinette’s Style Legacy
From film to fashion, Marie Antoinette continues to be a figure of inspiration. While her exact style is still iconic, modern retelling and adaptation can also be found on red carpets and beyond. Contemporary designers such as Dior, Chanel, Valentino, Moschino, and more have reinterpreted her looks.
Her style was revived in the 19th century by Empress Eugénie who was seen as a trend setter in her own right. As the empress of France, she had a sentimental and romanticized image and influenced haute couture with her choices. With both fashion icons backing this look, it has become synonymous with French style as a whole.
Famously, Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film Marie Antoinette influenced a whole new generation of devotees to the style. With costumes designed by Oscar-winner Milena Canonero and filmed in Versailles, the iconic images are stunning in color and emotion. This recent interpretation takes the style associated with the queen into a new phase of fantasy. The image of Marie Antoinette has become a symbol of escape, beauty, and decadence.