Hello everyone,
the year is almost over. That means it's time to take a small trip down memory lane and reminisce about some of the topics we've discussed this year. Here we go:
Le Bon Genre: a series of prints depicting the lives, pastimes and interests of the Parisian middle class at the beginning of the 19th century.
The World's First Sex Therapist:Dr James Graham was a pioneer in sex therapy, a medical entrepreneur, a quack and a brilliant showman. He created The Celestial Bed, an electromagnetic bed that was supposed to help couples conceive. Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, and her husband used it.
Was Anne Boleyn Beautiful Or Ugly?:Anne Boleyn's appearance still remains a mystery. We only have one authenticated picture of her and lots of contradicting descriptions. So, what's the truth?
Mary Eleanor Bowes:an ancestor of the Queen Mother, she was one of the wealthiest heiresses in England. She was the victim of domestic abuse and was even kidnapped by her violent husband. She managed to escape his clutches but her reputation never recovered from the scandals surrounding her divorce proceedings.
Catherine Of Aragon's Pregnancies: if Catherine of Aragon wasn't able to give her husband Henry VIII's an heir, it certainly wasn't for lack of trying. Unfortunately, most of her pregnancies would end in miscarriages or still births. Only one daughter, the future Mary I, would survive to adulthood.
Georgiana, The Trendsetter: Georgiana was the Queen of fashion of her time. Whatever she wore, everyone else soon copied. Check out this article to discover some of the trends she launched.
Marie Bashkirtseff:Marie was a famous and popular Russian painter. Despite suffering from tuberculosis, she worked incessantly, egged on by her desire to do something worthwhile in art that would live after her. Sadly, a large number of her works were destroyed during World War II.
Marriage A La Mode by William Hogarth: one of Hogarth's most famous works, this series of prints depicts the disastrous consequences of arranged marriages, a very widespread practice among the upper classes at the time.
Princess Louise Of France, Blessed Thérèse of Saint Augustine:Princess Louise, one of the daughters of the womanizer king Louis XV was a very pious and devoted woman who decided to leave the splendors of Versailles behind and become a nun. But she would still use her royal connections to help the causes she believed in.
Elizabeth Chudleigh: Elizabeth lived a very scandalous life that defied all the conventions of her time. A bigamist, Elizabeth would try hard to deny her first marriage had ever happened, which would be her downfall. Despite this, she was also a generous woman who never lost her zest for life.
Armand de Gontaut, Duc de Lauzun and Biron: a brave soldier and a womanizer, the Duc was a supporter of the Revolution, believing it would bring freedom to the country. He also fought for it, and participated in the repression of the uprising of the Vendee, but this wasn't enough to save him. Like many noblemen, he too lost his head.
Marie Antoinette's Wardrobe:Marie Antoinette had a huge and luxurious wardrobe. This article explains how it was organized, and how the Queen decided what to wear.
Jane, Duchess Of Gordon: Jane was the Tory version, and rival, of Georgiana, Duchess Of Devonshire. Very active in politics, she once even kidnapped a man to secure a seat for one of her friends!
Was Gabrielle De Polignac A Loyal Friend Or A Greedy Social Climber?:Gabrielle was Marie Antoinette's best friends. The friendship earned her (and her family) lots of money, perks, and titles, but also a reputation as a frivolous and greedy social climber. But who really was Gabrielle?
I hope you've enjoyed these articles!