Visitors to Versailles (1682-1789) at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Exhibition Dates: April 16–July 29, 2018 Exhibition Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, The Tisch Galleries, Gallery 899, 2nd floor

The palace of Versailles has attracted travelers since it was transformed under the direction of the Sun King, Louis XIV (1638–1715), from a simple hunting lodge into one of the most magnificent public courts of Europe. French and foreign travelers, royalty, dignitaries and ambassadors, artists, musicians, writers and philosophers, scientists, grand tourists and day-trippers alike, all flocked to the majestic royal palace surrounded by its extensive formal gardens. Opening April 16 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Visitors to Versailles (1682–1789) will track these many travelers from 1682, when Louis XIV moved his court to Versailles, up to 1789, when Louis XVI (1774–1792) and the royal family were forced to leave the palace and return to Paris. The exhibition is made possible by The International Council of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Additional support is provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, Beatrice Stern, the Diane W. and James E. Burke Fund, the Gail and Parker Gilbert Fund, The Florence Gould Foundation, The Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation/French Heritage Society, and The Al Thani Collection. It is organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Palace of Versailles.

Versailles was always a truly international setting. Countless visitors described their experiences and observations in correspondence and journals. Court diaries, gazettes, and literary journals offer detailed reports on specific events and entertainments as well as on ambassadorial receptions that were also documented in paintings and engravings. Through paintings and portraits, furniture, tapestries, carpets, costumes and uniforms, porcelain, gold boxes, sculpture, arms and armor, engravings, and guidebooks, the exhibition will illustrate what the visitors encountered at court, what kind of welcome and access to the palace they received, and, most importantly, what they saw and what impressions, gifts, and souvenirs they took home with them. Visitors to Versailles (1682–1789) is organized by Daniëlle Kisluk-Grosheide, the Henry R. Kravis Curator in the Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts at The Met, and Bertrand Rondot, conservateur en chef, Château de Versailles. Design is by The Met Design Department. Design direction is provided by Emile Molin and Brian Butterfield. Exhibition design is by Alejandro Stein; graphic design is by Ria Roberts and Frank Mondragon, with support from Tal Pritzker; lighting design is by Clint Ross Coller; and production is by Maanik Chauhan and David Stith. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and distributed by Yale University Press. The book will be available for purchase in The Met Store (hardcover, $65). The catalogue is made possible by the Diane W. and James E. Burke Fund and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The exhibition will also feature a unique audio experience that will evoke and bring to life what it was like to visit the palace during the ancien régime, when Versailles was the seat of the court. This audio experience is sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

A series of events and performances will complement the exhibition. On April 21 (7 p.m.), the early-music vocal group TENET and the contemporary Metropolis Ensemble will present a program with two world premieres by cellist Timo Andres and musician Caroline Shaw. Opera Lafayette will perform Opera in Versailles on May 3 (7 p.m.). Master chef and food writer Yotam Ottolenghi will create a Versailles-themed menu of dinner and desserts on June 19 and 20 (7 p.m.). The role of the Palace of Versailles in 17th- and 18th-century Europe will be discussed in a Sundayat The Met program on April 22 and a half-day symposium on April 30. The Short Course  The Kings of Versailles will take place April 14, 21, and            28 (2 p.m.); registration required. The exhibition will be featured on the Museum's website, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via #VisitorstoVersailles Visitors to Versailles (1682–1789) is currently on view at the Château de Versailles through February 25, 2018. This exhibit is sure to be amazing for those of you like myself who are obsessed with Château de Versailles and all the magic it entails. I hope to attend the press event to bring you many photos of the exhibit as soon as it opens!  To be assured not miss a post, sign up for each one to be emailed to you HERE. Be sure to check for your Feedburner confirmation email, or your subscription will not be processed. Your email is not sold or shared with anyone. Thank you so much for visiting!

Image: Charles-Gabriel Sauvage, called Lemire père (1741–1827). Figure of Louis XVI and Benjamin Franklin, 1780-85. Porcelain, 12 3/4 x 9 1/2 x 6 in. (32.4 x 24.1 x 15.2 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883 (83.2.260)

Vigée Le Brun Woman Artist in Revolutionary France February 15-May 15, 2016

Upon my recent trip to the city on Easter weekend, I had the pleasure of viewing this fabulous exhibit at the Met Museum. I am such a fan of these types of paintings, the age of the paintings and that they are in such pristine shape. The frames that hold these paintings are as gorgeous as the paintings themselves. This exhibit was extraordinary. They looked like the person in the painting was going to blink! One artwork had a lady holding pearls that I felt I could just grab out of the painting. I would love to see this one more time before it leaves the Met, and I just may try to do that as will be in the end of April. It is really worth a second look! You can view all the 80 paintings shown on the MET Website  but seeing them in person is so much better!! 

Here is some history on the painter from the Met's website: 

Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (French, 1755–1842) is one of the finest 18th-century French painters and among the most important of all women artists. An autodidact with exceptional skills as a portraitist, she achieved success in France and Europe during one of the most eventful, turbulent periods in European history.

In 1776, she married the leading art dealer in Paris; his profession at first kept her from being accepted into the prestigious Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture. Nevertheless, through the intervention of Marie Antoinette, she was admitted at the age of 28 in 1783, becoming one of only four women members. Obliged to flee France in 1789 because of her association with the queen, she traveled to Italy, where in 1790 she was elected to membership in the Accademia di San Luca, Rome. Independently, she worked in Florence, Naples, Vienna, St. Petersburg, and Berlin before returning to France, taking sittings from, among others, members of the royal families of Naples, Russia, and Prussia. While in exile, she exhibited at the Paris Salons.

Vigée-LeBrun returned to France for good in 1809. She divided the last 33 years of her life between her Paris residence, where she held glittering salons, and her country house at Louveciennes. Scholars estimate that Vigée-LeBrun produced more than 600 paintings. Her memoirs, originally published in 1835–37, have been translated and reprinted numerous times. 

She was remarkable not only for her technical gifts but for her understanding of and sympathy with her sitters. This is the first retrospective and only the second exhibition devoted to Vigée Le Brun in modern times. The 80 works on view include paintings and a few pastels from European and American public and private collections.

She was quite a beauty in her own right! 

In 1777, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria wrote to her daughter Marie Antoinette (1755–1793) asking for a portrait. Vigée Le Brun received the commission, her first from the queen. She remembered that the queen "walked better than any other woman in France, holding her head very high with a majesty that singled her out in the midst of the entire court."

This painting of Marie Antoinette was just beautiful. I felt I could touch the lace on her dress, which looked very heavy to me as well. This was a remarkable piece to see in person. 

Madame Grand (Noël Catherine Verlée, 1761–1835)

Painted in 1783

Another gorgeous piece of artwork that looked so real. The detail is just amazing. 

 Vigée Le Brun Woman Artist in Revolutionary France 

February 15-May 15, 2016

Metropolitan Museum of Art 

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Taste of France Show 2013

The Taste of France is being held for the 2nd time in New York City September 28 and 29 in the fabulous Bryant Park. I attended last year's event at the Pier and am happy to see a bit better location for 2013. I am going to try to make it to give you a report of what went on this year, but here are some shots from the 2012 event which should be similar but better. Entrance to the Taste of France Show is FREE. The Lounge (where various events will take place) and the Aperitif area will require a paid entrance ticket, and although there will be quite a bit of sampling throughout the show, the actual Chef tastings and drinks will also require tickets. You purchase Mariannes which you use to purchase your food and other items in the show. Be sure not to overbuy as they are not refundable. I purchased $20 last year and was going a bit crazy trying to spend it all. You can always go back for more if you need them. 

The French Bulldog Rescue will be there again this year. These dogs just melted my heart. So darn adorable and full of personality   

These sandwiches looked so yummy !!  

Wonderful French merchandise can be found at this event  

Even a French car !  

French chefs all lined up !! 

Maille, the award-winning French brand that has set the Dijon mustard standard for 265 years. During the two-day Taste of France Market, Maille will set up a mini-boutique to sample, fill to order and sell jars of its renowned Chablis Dijon Mustard ‘on tap’. This will be the first time that this French delicacy will be available for sale in the United States. 

About Chablis Dijon Mustard

A mustard experience only available otherwise in the two exclusive boutiques of La Maison Maille in France and, since July, at the Fromagerie Hamel in Montreal, this must-try Dijon mustard is served from an authentic French porcelain mustard pump, the very same method by which Maille founder Antoine Maille served European Royal courts. Imported under refrigeration from France, this mustard is a subtle match between Chablis, the celebrated white wine of the Burgundy region of France, and freshly prepared mustard. Celebrated for its creamy consistency and nuances of spiciness, Chablis Dijon pairs well with fish, white and red meats.

What: 3.5-ounce traditional earthenware mustard pots filled to order and closed with a charming cork stopper, creating a beautiful package to take home for yourself or a friend. Each jar will sell for $18 (2 jars for $30) at Maille’s booth within the event’s Market area. (Free tastings too.)

Palais des Thes' fabulous French tea will be at the event in 2013  

You will not go hungry at Taste of France  

I need to try one of these this year, should I make it to the event. They look so interesting. Caneles' is the name of the pastry to the left. 

It cannot be a French event without champagne !!  

I just loved this clown face !!  

This looks just so darn good, doesn't it ?  

Jacques Torres desserts make everyone smile ! 

Taste of France

Taste of France Show is located in Bryant Park, behind the New-York Public Library in midtown Manhattan; between 40th and 42nd Street and 5th and 6th avenue. 

SATURDAY – September 28, 2013
11:00am-11:00pm

SUNDAY – September 29, 2013
11:00am-7:00pm 

Taste of France is a not-for-profit organization hosting the world’s largest event dedicated to France. Our mission is to promote the image of France, the Franco- American friendship, and to offer New Yorkers the ability to experience France in a brand new way. It is brought to you by all the major French organizations in New York and the whole New York French community, with the support of the French embassy. Our first event took place last year on Pier 54 in a much smaller version, and based on the amazing success it gathered, we have decided to make it a major event in Bryant park, covering all aspects of France, and with 100 000 visitors expected. 

*Disclaimer: There has been no monetary compensation for posting this content. Brands mentioned are not affiliates or sponsors of this blog post. The opinions expressed are completely my own based on my experiences.

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