Sunday, July 17, 2011

Finding Marie Antoinette: An american guide





Finding Marie Antoinette


Although most objects relating to Marie Antoinette and the last court of Versailles are housed in Versailles and Paris, history lovers in America don't need to hop on a plane to bring themselves a little closer to the French queen. Everything from tables to paintings to royal dog houses can be found right here in the United States! Road trip, anyone?

Note: The items listed are currently recorded as being on view to the public, or are (if the website is unclear) likely on view. Please be aware that items can be frequently moved from public display at museums for a variety of reasons , so it's always best to call ahead if possible to see if an item is still being exhibited.

As with any sort of guide, this list is by no means comprehensive. Many museums do not have websites, full online collections, or online collections at all. I will be periodically updating it with items I missed, fresh acquisitions and new exhibitions.
If you have any additional items that could be added, I would love to hear from you, and please contact me at the email on my sidebar. Enjoy! 

Note: (Dec. 2013) This post is sorely in need of updating! Please forgive any outdated links or incomplete entries.


Arizona

Phoenix Art Museum Painting of Madame Adelaide of France in 1787 by Adelaide Labille-Guiard Possibly on view

Phoenix Art Museum: Painting of Madame Victoire in 1781 by Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun Possibly on view

California

The Legion of Honor: 1775 Chinese plate depicting Ben Franklin and Marie Antoinette On view

The Huntington: Fall front secretary containing a painted plaque given by Louis XVI to his brother-in-law, the Duke of Saxe-Teschen in 1786 Possibly on view

J. Paul Getty Museum: A chaise de toilette from Marie Antoinette's bedroom at the Petit Trianon On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: A pair of folding stools for Marie Antoinette's gaming rooms at Fontainebleau and Compiègne On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: Four side chairs for the salon du rocher at the Belvedere Pavilion On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: Pair of side "fireplace" chairs bought for Louis XVI's rooms at Versailles On view


J. Paul Getty Museum: Cabinet delivered in 1788 for the bedroom of Louis XVI at the chateau de Saint-Cloud On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: Set of four wall lights for Marie Antoinette's private rooms at Versailles On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: A pair of candelabra possibly commissioned by Madame Adélaïde and Victoire for the chateau de Bellevue On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: Wine bottle cooler commissioned by Louis XVI in 1783 On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: Mantel clock for Louis XVI's Salon de Conseil at the Tuileries Palace On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: Lidded bowl belonging to Louis XVI'S aunt, Madame Louise On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: Set of four tapestries presented to Paul Petrovich, Grand Duke of Russia, in the late 1770s On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: Carved relief depicting an allegory of the French monarchy and the new constitution On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: A pair of painted panels commissioned by the comte and comtesse de Provence, possibly installed at the chateau de Montreuil On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: Busts of Louis XV and Marie Leczinska in 1743 On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: Bust of Louis XVI in the 1750s On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: Presumed portrait of the Duc de Choiseul and two companions by Jacques Wilbaut On view

J. Paul Getty Museum: The victomtesse de Vaudreuil, wife of the duchesse de Polignac's reputed lover, in 1785 by Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun On view


District of Columbia


The National Gallery of Art: 1793 Medal commemorating Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette On view

The National Gallery of Art: Silver medal depicting Louis XVI in 1783 On view

The National Gallery of Art: Writing table ordered for Marie Antoinette's private apartments at the Tuileries Palace On view

The National Gallery of Art: A marble bust of Giuseppe Balsamo, Comte di Cagliostro, by Jean-Antoine Houdon On view

The National Museum of Natural History: Earrings set with a pair of Marie Antoinette's diamonds On view

Smithsonian Natural Air and Space Museum: Bronze medal with the busts of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, commemorating the first manned balloon flight in 1783 On view

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: Copper medal of Louis XVI, commemorating the Montgolfier balloon flights On view


Florida


The Lightner Museum: A portrait of Louis XVIII proposed to be by Antoine-Francois Callet On view


Kentucky


Louisiana


New Orlean's Museum of Art: Portrait of Marie Antoinette by Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun Likely on view

New Orlean's Museum of Art: Portrait of Louis XVI by Antoine-François Callet Likely on view


Maryland

The Walters Art Museum: Cameo ring with busts of Marie Antoinette and the dauphin On view

The Walters Art Museum: A jewel cabinet model by Jean Démosthène Dugourc, entered into and lost a 1787 contest for a new jewel cabinet at Marie Antoinette's rooms at Versailles On view

The Walters Art Museum: A desk made by Maurice-Bernard Evalde in 1770 for an unknown female member of the royal family On view

The Walters Art Museum: 1774 Medallion of Louis XVI On view

The Walters Art Museum: Portrait of Louis XVI circa 1774 after Joseph Siffred Duplessis On view

The Walters Art Museum: A pair of Sèvres vases purchased by Louis XVI in 1781 On view

The Walters Art Museum: A red vase purchased by Louis XVI for the king's apartment at Versailles in 1782 On view

The Walters Art Museum: A pair of fountain-shaped vases ordered by Louis XV in 1765 On view

The Walters Art Museum: One of pair of tall vases purchased by Louis XVI for the chateau de Saint Cloud On view

Michigan


Minnesota



Minneapolis Institute of the Arts: Plate from a service made for the Cardinal de Rohan On view


Minneapolis Institute of the Arts: "L'urne mystérieuse" plate with hidden mourning profiles of the royal family On view

Minneapolis Institute of the Arts: Sèvres saucer with the portraits of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette On view

Minneapolis Institute of the Arts: Bust of Madame de Sérilly, a lady in waiting to Marie Antoinette, by Jean-Antoine Houdon On view

New York



The Frick Collection: 'The Progress of Love: Love the Avenger' by Jean-Honoré Fragonard likely from Madame du Barry's collection at Louveciennes On view

The Frick Collection: 'The Progress of Love: Love the Jester' by Jean-Honoré Fragonard likely from Madame du Barry's collection at Louveciennes On view

The Frick Collection: 'The Progress of Love: Love the Sentinel' by Jean-Honoré Fragonard likely from Madame du Barry's collection at Louveciennes On view

The Frick Collection: 'The Progress of Love: Triumphant' by Jean-Honoré Fragonard likely from Madame du Barry's collection at Louveciennes On view

The Frick Collection: 'The Progress of Love: Reverie' by Jean-Honoré Fragonard likely from Madame du Barry's collection at Louveciennes On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Commode for the queen's apartments at the chateau de Saint-Cloud On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Mechanical table made for Marie Antoinette in 1778 On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Armchair from the cabinet intérieur of Marie Antoinette at Versailles On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Sécretaire/desk from Marie Antoinette's private apartments at the chateau de Saint-Cloud On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Dog kennel possibly made for dogs in the queen's apartments On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Daybe (Lit De Repos) from Marie Antoinette's cabinet de toilette at the chateau de Saint-Cloud On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Armchair from Marie Antoinette's cabinet de toilette at the chateau de Saint-Cloud On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Set of four three-light sconces from the cabinet intérieur of Marie Antoinette at the chateau de Saint-Cloud On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Mechanical table made for Marie Antoinette at the chateau de Versailles and de Saint-Cloud On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: One of a pair of side chairs made for Marie Antoinette On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Second of a pair of side chairs made for Marie Antoinette On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Jewel coffer on a writing stand made for Madame du Barry circa 1770 On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Portrait of Madame Elisabeth de France in 1787 by Adélaïde Labille-Guiard On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Fire screen with Marie Antoinette's monogram for Marie Antoinette's cabinet de Toilette at the chateau de Saint-Cloud On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Fire screen, likely part of the set intended for Marie Antoinette's cabinet de toilette at the chateau de Saint-Cloud On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Bust of Louis XVIII On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Cup with a portrait of Louis the Dauphin (father of Louis XVI, Louis XVIII, and Charles X) On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 1822 medal featuring Louis XVIII On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Portrait of Charles X by Henry Bone On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Wine cooler made for the table service of Louis XV On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 'La Crainte des Traits de l'Amour' statue by Jean-Louis Lemoyne, owned by Louis XV until 1762 On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Barometer-Thermometer owned by Madame du Barry On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Small writing desk owned by Madame du Barry On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Writing table for the king's study at Versailles On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Portrait of Louis XV as a child by Hyacinthe Rigaud On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Bust of Louis XV by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Medallion featuring the profile of Louis XV by Jean-Baptiste Nini On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Armchair owned by Madame Louise Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Louis XV On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: A drop front security for Louis XVI's apartments at the Palais de Compiègne On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Side chair for the Salon de jeu du Roy at the chateau de Fontainebleau On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: A second side chair for the Salon de jeu du Roy at the chateau de Fontainebleau On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: A third side chair for the Salon de jeu du Roy at the chateau de Fontainebleau On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Porcelain figure of Louis XVI and Benjamin Franklin by Charles-Gabriel Sauvage On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Profile bust of Louis XVI by Philippe-Laurent Roland On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 'The Bathing Pool' painting by Hubert Robert housed in the comte de Artois' chateau de Bagatelle On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 'The Dance' painting by Hubert Robert housed in the comte de Artois' chateau de Bagatelle On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 'The Fountain' painting by Hubert Robert housed in the comte de Artois' chateau de Bagatelle On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 'The Swing' painting by Hubert Robert housed in the comte de Artois' chateau de Bagatelle On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 'Wandering Minstrels' painting by Hubert Robert housed in the comte de Artois' chateau de Bagatelle On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 'The Mouth of a Cave' painting by Hubert Robert housed in the comte de Artois' chateau de Bagatelle On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Commode owned by Louis XVI for the chateau de Versailles On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Snuffbox featuring a portrait of Louis XVI in 1779-1780 by Joseph-Etienne Blerzy On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Silk tapestry titled 'America' by Jean-Jacques-Francois Le Barbier commissioned by Louis XVI in 1786 On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Upright secretary commissioned for Madame du Barry On view

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Bedside table commissioned for Madame du Pompadour, eventually being owned by Louis XV and then his three daughters On view


Ohio


Cincinnati Art Museum: Portrait of Louis XVI by Luc Sicardi Possibly on view


Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Museum of Art: 1790 relief portrait of Marie Antoinette attributed to Isaac Gosset
On view

Philadelphia Museum of Art: Writing table made for Marie Antoinette for the royal chateau at Marly On view

Philadelphia Museum of Art: Plate from a dinner service originally ordered by Marie Antoinette in 1784 for use in her apartments at the Tuileries palace (from one of two possible services) On view

Philadelphia Museum of Art: A dish from a service commissioned by Louis XVI in 1786 On view

Philadelphia Museum of Art: Portrait of Madame du Barry in 1781 by Louise-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun On view

Philadelphia Congress Hall: Portrait of Louis XVI by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis, given as a gift by Louis XVI On view

Philadelphia Congress Hall: Portrait of Marie Antoinette by Louise-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun, given as a gift by Louis XVI On view

3 comments:

  1. What a wonderful resource. I will use this for sure. I am so interested in that era and the French court and Madam de Pompadour and MA. I love your blog and I added it to my J'adore blog list on my blog
    Marie Arden

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a comprehensive resouce. I would also like to add that the Vanderbilt mansion at Hyde park has a bedroom based on Marie Antoinette's at Versaille.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Marie Arden: Thank you! I'm glad the resource will be helpful.

    Elizabeth Kerri Mahon: Thanks for the tip, Elizabeth! I'll be sure to check it out.

    ReplyDelete