Paris: Life & Luxury
Mr. philosophy and I attended the Paris: Life & Luxury exhibit at the Getty Center in Los Angeles two days before the closing. (Last day was August 7)
What a breathtaking exhibits it was… great collections...
I love all things Parisian!
This exhibition evokes the rich material ambiance of Paris during the mid-18th century dated back from 1715 to 1766- right in the splendor of the Rococo period.
The exhibit showed everything from candlesticks and firedogs, to furniture and clocks, dressing gowns and jewelry, musical instruments and games - all from elite society in Paris, the fashion and cultural epicenter of Europe at the time.
Paris was a center of great cultural achievement and artistic creativity during the reign of Louis XV (1723 - 1774), yet the virtuoso inventiveness and superlative craftsmanship of the period remain largely unfamiliar and underappreciated today, overshadowed as they are by the tumultuous social and political events of the French Revolution of 1789.
However, They would not let us take pictures… So I will try to describe a decadent bed made for a Duchess.
When we walk in the room the 1st thing we caught our attention was 14 feet tall canopy bed." piece called ‘’ Object of Desire: a Bed (not for sleeping)
Before we know the photography was not allowed
we took a picture of the bed.
The bed,known as a "lit à la duchesse". What is exactly lit à la duchesse is .. canopy supported without visible posts... meaning...it's not a bed to lie down on. It was a place to receive guests and visitors. Hmmm..
It was meant for display,.. to show the wealth and power of the family.
Anyway… All of the original elements of the bed are embroidered on yellow satin in pattern of strap work, leafy scrolls quatrefoil motifs, and fleuron. The embroidery materials are green, crimson, turquoise and brown silk chenille and metallic threads.
Beds of this format became popular in the 1690s, but went out of style about 100 years later. Only a few other complete examples survive, and they are in Europe; in the U.S., the few similar pieces that exist mix fragments from the period with modern, recreated components.
When the Getty bought the bed in 1979, the New York antiques dealer who sold it said that it had come from the Château de Montbrian near Lyon. The bed, which incorporates two fleur-de-lys, is rumored to have been made for a favorite retreat of Louis XIV, though that has never been substantiated. It did make at least one appearance at Versailles, however: It was part of the set for Racine's tragedy "Esther," given there by the Comédie-Française in 1936.
After the Exhibition we dined at the Getty Restaurant.
They have special menu ‘’Dine like a Parisian’’ in they fine dining room to celebrate the exhibition, with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains.
I would love to know… If you have seen any good exhibits lately?
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