Marie Antoinette Information

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Who Was Madame Du Barry

Question: How can I become just like Madame du Barry?

Madame du Barry, Marie Antoinette’s enemy. How do I become like her?

Answer: Try looking her up on Wikipedia instead of asking us. There was a LOT more to her life that being Marie's enemy. She was a courtesan to the aristocracy of Paris. That means she was a high-priced hooker to the rich and powerful. Is that your career goal?

Rose of Versailles - Tribute to Madame du Barry

Buy Madame Du Barry, 1770 Giclee Poster Print by Francois Hubert Drouais, 12×16

Buy Madame du Barry: The Wages of Beauty

Madame Du Barry Mistress Of King Of France

Jean-Honore Fragonard was one of the most celebrated French painters & printmakers of the eighteenth Century. His works were set in the ‘Rococo’ style of painting, centered on the luxurious, aristocratic life, rather than that of self-righteous martyrs and heroes. Jean was born on April 5, 1732 in Grasse, France, to a middle-class family of François Fragonard, a glove maker. In 1738, the Fragonards moved to Paris after François went broke.

When eighteen, Jean’s aptitude for arts prompted his father to get him enrolled under François Boucher, the then Royal Painter. Boucher recognized Jean’s talent, but due to his inexperience, sent him to the distinguished painter, Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin, in 1750, for laying a strong foundation in painting. Trained Jean-Honore Fragonard returned to Boucher after six months, for further profound grooming. In 1752, the polished painter won the prestigious Prix de Rome scholarship for “Jeroboam sacrificing to the Golden Calf (1752).” Pursuing this, he opted for three-years training in ‘History painting,’ at the École Royale des Elèves Protégés, Paris.

Jean-Honore Fragonard then ventured out to explore Italy and joined the French Academy in Rome, on September 17, 1756. Here, he befriended fellow artist, Hubert Robert. Together, the duo travelled throughout Italy, capturing the exotic sceneries onto their canvas. Fragonard’s paintings like “Saint Celestine V Renouncing the Papacy (1761),” were archetypical of the Flemish and Dutch styles, with loose, yet powerful brush strokes. After a spell of five years, Jean returned to Paris in 1761.

In 1765, his painting “Coresus et Callirhoe (1765)” received huge critical acclaim and appreciation. Marveled by this work, King Louis XV bought and treasured it. This patronage of the King earned him more assignments, like the series of paintings commissioned by Madame du Barry, the official mistress of Louis XV. With time, Jean’s works attained maturity, with romance and subtle eroticism finding a prominent place there, as in “Serment d’amour (Love Vow) (1760s),” “La Culbute (The Tumble) (1766),” “L’oscillation (The Swing) (1767),” “Le Verrou (The Bolt) (1777-78),” “La Chemise enlevée (The Shirt Removed) (1770),” and “The Stolen Kiss (1788).” These bold paintings portrayed the subjects in various amorous positions against a backdrop of lush green landscapes adorned with mythological statues and attractive flowers. The tepid public response to these bold series of paintings made him experiment with ‘Neoclassicism,’ giving up ‘Rococo’ completely.

Meanwhile, Jean-Honore Fragonard married in 1769, and had a daughter, who later became his favorite subject in his paintings. In October 1773, he again went to explore Italy with his friend, Pierre-Jacques -Onésyme Bergeret de Grancourt. Among the paintings created during this time were “Seated Man Reading (1773-4),” “A Fisherman Pulling a Net (1774),” and “A Fisherman leaning on an Oar.” On his return to Paris, he fell in love with his wife’s sister, with whom he had a son, Alexandre-Évariste Fragonard, in 1778. Alexandre was also a brilliant painter and sculptor. With the outbreak of the French Revolution, Jean’s fellow artists and benefactors were forced to leave France. He himself took refuge at his friend’s place in Maubert, Grasse in 1793. He also painted huge panels in this house, and named the series, “Les progrès de l’amour dans le cÂœur d’une jeune fille.”

After his return to Paris in the early nineteenth century, he died on August 22, 1806 in anonymity. The French Revolution seized away the sheen from his glorious career, and his identity as one of the greatest French artist was lost. Later researches, however, rediscovered the artist, bringing into light his brilliant ‘Rococo’ style, and courageous outlook towards painting. Jean was a prolific artist, who created at least 550 paintings. His work is appreciated and exhibited in many art galleries, such as Louvre (Paris), Wallace Collection (London), and the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC).

Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com.

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My Ladies Scandalous: Infamous Women from 18th Century England & France

Du Barry Soup

Question: A good recipe for Creme du Barry soup?

I used to go to a cafe that made fantastic creamy, thick, tasty Creme du Barry soup. I had a go at making it one christmas & everyone liked it… but it just wasnt the same. The cafe one had a thick white almost sauce like consistency.

Anyone know a good recipe?

(Creme du Barry – a cauliflower, & chicken soup)

Answer: Potage Creme Dubarry

This creamy soup gives the humble cauliflower sophisticated status

prep time 10 mins

cooking time 45 mins

1 cauliflower

4 tablespoons of butter

1 ½ tablespoons flour

2 ½ cups chicken stock

1 onion peeled and chopped

2 medium egg yolks

2 / 3 cup double cream

grated cheese

nutmeg

salt and pepper

garnish with snipped chives

Trim the cauliflower and break into florets.

Cook gently in boiling salted water for 5 mins, drain and set to one side.

Melt the butter in a large pan and add the flour cook for 1 to 2 mins.

Stirring all the time then remove from the heat.

Add the chicken stock and onions return to the heat.

Stirring constantly bring to the boil then simmer for 20 mins.

Allow to cool, add the cauliflower and blend.

Return the soup to the pan and reheat.

Lightly beat together the egg yolks, cream and a little of the cheese to taste.

Stir in a little of the soup then add to the soup in the pan.

Gently cook until thickened season with salt and pepper and grated nutmeg.

Garnish with the snipped chives.
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This is a great recipe, usually when i make it I forget one ingredient and it still taste good, that might be why yours did not have the colour and consistency that you got from the Cafe you had previously eaten it at.