Date of Award

2024

Document Type

MA Project - Restricted Access (SIA Only)

Project Type

MA Project - Curatorial Proposal

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Art Business

First Advisor

Eric Wolf

Second Advisor

Morgan Falconer

Abstract

I am pleased to present my proposal for The Costume Institute’s Spring exhibition Marie Antoinette’s Timeless Luxury: An Inspired Generational Discourse, which will be celebrated at The Costume Institute Benefit / The Met Gala on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024. The exhibition will be open to members starting Thursday, May 2nd and Friday May 3rd, and opens to the larger public on Saturday, May 4th, 2024.
The exhibition will showcase timeless luxury through objects old and new, all with Marie Antoinette as the key inspiration and muse, and highlight how this influence is displayed throughout generations. It will explore the history, mythology, themes and mystique that are centered around the infamous name Marie Antoinette through almost 40 objects on display. The exhibition will be on view at The Met Fifth Avenue in the Tisch Galleries, Gallery 999 and 899, Floor 2 through July 14th, 2024. This show explores the idea of bringing luxury to life through art objects and fashion. Creating an inter-generational dialogue around timeless luxury and showcasing these changes throughout generations, this show will place luxury objects of various decades inspired by Marie Antoinette in conversation with each other. Ultimately, giving viewers a keen focus on how her legacy and impact is displayed across time in art and luxury. Marie Antoinette was the Queen of
France for nearly two decades alongside her husband King Louis XVI. She became notorious for her extravagance and frivolity and represented the overindulgence of the French monarchy. Eventually, at age 37, she was arrested and sentenced to death by guillotine during the French Revolution. Although over two centuries have passed since, the Queen remains a central subject of fascination, inspiration, and reinterpretation for so many – evolving from a vilified queen to a modern-day princess.

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