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This book, if you can find it, is gorgeous! I highly recommend this with a cup of tea and some smelling salts, you may faint over the splendor captured in this read!Fontainebleau is such a beautiful place to visit. My favorite portion of this grand and fabulous chateau (aside from that breathtaking and famous staircase) would have to be Marie Antoinette's' gem...her Turkish boudoir. This has always been one of my faves :) I had read about it before but seeing it in person is stunning. You cannot really get from the photos the effect of the pearlized walls and the very intimate and personal feeling of the boudoir.
Note the MA initials painted by Rousseau
A place of refuge of an unequalled luxury, located above the Queen’s own boudoir, the boudoir turc is one of the Château’s secret most beautiful places.
All I see in this photo is that stunning chandy!
Under a ceiling painted like the heavens inhabited by cherubs and angels, the eight-sided room is decorated in silvery hues making you feel like you are inside of a pearl or standing on the edge of a cloud.
The decoration consists of woodwork painted and carved with Turkish themes. In 1777, Queen Marie-Antoinette commissioned architect Richard Mique to design the boudoir. She commissioned artisans like Barthelemy, Rousseau, Roland, Toutefois, and Riesener et Jacob. Subsequently, it was used as a private bedroom by empress Joséphine and later by empress Marie-Louise. The furniture created for the boudoir has been entirely preserved. Miraculously surviving the Revolution.
The room includes sumptuous fabrics, such as gold lamé velvet, gold strip taffeta, gold embroidered silk, embroidered muslin, as well as soft furnishings and golden fringes.
The famous desk (above) is truly a work of art and one of a kind. Made by Riesener, ébéniste ordinaire du roi, of bronze and mother-of-pearl. The desk and side table are in their original places. A wonder to behold!
I wish I had a photo of the ironwork and details of the window fittings and flourished grills surrounding the windows. It is said that Louis himself made these for Marie Antoinette and they are beautiful. Painted in a brilliant deep Blue hue gilded with Gold.
Another great book that shows a snippet from this pearl wonder of a boudoir is Le Lieux de La Riene by Boyer & Halard, it is in French but I believe there is a translated version out there. It has wonderful images. A small bit of beauty for your day today! Left for us by a legendary woman with exceptional taste! Have a great Tuesday!
