Marie Antoinette: The Last Queen of France and Her Controversial Legacy
On 10th May, Louis XVI of France and his wife, the Austrian princess Marie Antoinette, began their reign. The young princess became the queen consort of France, a position that many desired. Marie Antoinette had a beautiful face and a graceful manner, and everyone was curious about what kind of queen she would be: a supporter of the arts, a subtle diplomat, a political counselor to her husband, a devout wife and queen? She ended up being all of these things – and more.
Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria, the later Queen Marie Antoinette of France by Joseph Ducreux {PD}
She left a lasting impression on French history unlike any other French consort. Marie Antoinette was a talented musician – she played the harp and the harpsichord, and learned from Gluck in her childhood – as well as a singer and a fan of composers such as André Grétry. Marie Antoinette was also passionate about fashion and liked to invent new dresses and hairstyles, breaking with tradition and making the work of her ladies-in-waiting harder than usual.
Marie Antoinette playing the harp at the French Court by Jean-Baptiste André Gautier-Dagoty {PD}
She enjoyed being daring – sculptures like this show her lively personality and extravagant style.
Marie Antoinette by Jean-Antoine Houdon, photo credit: Grundy Art Gallery, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA
Despite her great impact on the arts, Marie Antoinette was often regarded as the puppet of her mother, the Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa – she was often attacked at the French court and called 'The Austrian' by her enemies. She soon became a scapegoat both at court and outside and, while she was initially loved by the French people, her lavishness during a hard economic time quickly turned this love into resentment. The more she tried to advise her husband in politics, the stronger the accusations against her became. She was vilified in pamphlets and libels, and her bad reputation affected her husband's as well.
Empress Maria Theresia of Austria by Martin van Meytens {PD}
Louis XVI, King of France and Navarre, wearing his grand royal costume in 1779 by Antoine-François Callet {PD}
When the French Revolution started in 1789, Marie's mixed feelings about the situation caused a lot of damage to the French monarchy. She was advised by her family in Austria to escape, but she was conflicted between her willingness to compromise and her fears of the people's intentions. The royal family decided to flee, which led to the end of the monarchy in France.
The Royal Family of France in the Prison of the Temple by Edward Ward
Louis XVI was tried for treason and eventually executed on 21st January 1793. His reign will always be remembered by his failure to preserve the monarchy and the Bourbon dynasty, and will always be linked to the French Revolution.
As for Marie Antoinette – who, as the consort of France, was supposed to have a wonderful destiny and future – her final moments were far from glamorous. She was imprisoned with her children and her ladies-in-waiting, and she was eventually tried for treason and executed on 16th October 1793, at the age of only 37.
Marie Antoinette being taken to her Execution by William Hamilton {PD}
Her death caused outrage in the rest of Europe as most of her siblings were ruling other countries and realms. Her sister, Maria Carolina of Naples, swore to avenge her, developing a pure hatred against France for what they did. From an Austrian princess to a French queen consort, no one could have foreseen Marie Antoinette's terrible fate.
Marie Antoinette wrote to her sister-in-law, Madame Elisabeth, in her final moments. She had a close and sincere friendship with her over the years.
Elisabeth-Philippe-Marie-Hélène de France, dite Madame Elisabeth by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun {PD}
Her only thoughts were for her children, whom she wanted to protect desperately, even after her death. 'I am very saddened to leave my poor children; you know that they and you, my kind and loving sister, were my only reason to live.'
She advised, 'Let them both remember what I have always taught them, that virtuous principles and the faithful performance of every duty, are the first foundation of life; that their happiness will depend on their mutual love and trust.' She finished her letter with what she wanted her legacy to be: 'Let them never seek to avenge our death.' It was for her wise words and her maternal love that Marie Antoinette wanted her children to remember her.
Sadly, all her children died young except for Marie-Thérèse, who became the Duchess of Angoulême.
Queen Marie Antoinette of France and two of her Children (Marie-Thérèse Charlotte and Louis Joseph) Walking in The Park of Trianon by Adolf Ulrik Wertmüller (Nationalmuseum (Photo: Erik Cornelius)) {PD}
Portrait of Maria Theresia Charlotte of Bourbon by Heinrich Füger {PD}
Even today, especially in France, Marie Antoinette is a controversial figure. She is remembered for betraying France and for being the source of all its troubles, but her legacy is more complex, as her last letter shows. In the end, Marie Antoinette had her flaws, of course, but she also remained a loyal mother who was separated from her children and who tried to leave them a legacy of peace and love – if only through her words.
Marie-Antoinette de Lorraine-Habsbourg, Queen of France, and her children by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun {PD}
Portrait of Marie-Antoinette of Austria by Jean-Baptiste André Gautier-Dagoty {PD}
Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, in a court dress by François Hubert Drouais {PD}
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