Mitaali Vohra

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

MA Project - Open Access

Project Type

MA Project - Curatorial Proposal

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Art Business

First Advisor

Morgan Falconer

Second Advisor

Agnes Berecz

Abstract

Things of Beauty: Madame de Pompadour, Patroness of 18th Century French Arts takes the shape of an exhibition that will be held at The National Gallery London, starting Thursday, December 12 2024 as a commemoration of a sophisticated, international icon of style, luxury and the arts - Marquise de Pompadour. The exhibition opens the following week of one of the most important decorative arts auctions of the year - Treasures London at Sotheby’s, which will be held on December 4, 2024 and present for sale, works of historical and bold scale, design and beauty, including a chance find of four gilt-bronze scones belonging to Madame de Pompadour. These scones have been in Yorkshire Hotel at Swinton Park for the last 140 years but have somehow never been found. This is a significant moment in history to celebrate one of the most underestimated key figures behind the developments of the 18th century French art landscape. Tickets will be available for VIP members to preview the collection one day before opening on Wednesday, December 11 2024 after which it will be open to public. Remarkable pieces of 18th century French Rococo style will be on display, keeping Madame de Pompadour’s love for luxury and the arts at the heart of the show’s inspiration. 50 pieces of art ranging from paintings, sculptures and objet d’arts, some of which will be from the personal collection of Madame de Pompadour and revolving around her dedicated patronage to the French arts, will be on display at The National Gallery’s Level 2, Central Hall and connecting gallery Rooms 30, 31 & 32 till February 10, 2025. 3. The exhibition will be an ode to the profound legacy left behind by Madame de Pompadour, one of the most influential patrons of 18th century arts. As the chief mistress and confidant to King Louis XV, she was also a visionary cultural leader and held a ministerial role, behind the scenes, that played a huge part in transforming the landscape of French society, while dabbling in politics, beauty and intellect through multi mediums of art. The exhibition curates a careful selection of works, that acknowledge Madame de Pompadour’s patronage of some of the finest prolific portrait painters, artisans, craftsmen and philosophers of her time, including the highlight of the show - a series of prints engraved by Madame de Pompadour herself. From her patronage and contribution to Rococo art and style to her influence on the development of French luxury through porcelain, furniture and tapestry - Madame de Pompadour's impact continues to resonate in the art world today. The exhibition attempts to capture her enduring legacy and the cultural richness she cultivated, shaping the artistic course of her era. In this dynamic show the artists on display include prolific painters Franois Boucher (1703-1770), Maurice Quentin de La Tour (1704-1788), Francois-Hubert Drouais (1727-1775), Jean Marc Nattier (1685-1766), Charles Nicolas Cochin II (1715-1790) and Jean-Honor Fragonard (1732-1806). 18th Century French Cabinetmakers Jean-Franois Oeben (1721-1763) and Gilles Joubert (1689-1775) and French rococo sculptors Jean-Baptiste Pigalle (1714-1785) and Etienne Maurice Falconnet (1716-1791). It will also be showing skilled goldsmiths and designers of the time under the patronage of Madame de Pompadour - Jean-Claude Duplessis (1699-1774) and Jean Ducrollay (1710-1787)

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