Canvas painting with France's last and perhaps most famous queen of all time, Marie Antoinette. The painting is called Marie Antoinette en Chemise and was created by Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun in 1783. The portrait was a scandal in France as the dress, which was the latest fashion innovation, resembled today's undergarment, the chemise, and gave the impression that she was only wearing underwear.

Marie Antoinette was married to King Louis XVI of France and was initially a popular queen who has been described as extremely elegant, beautiful and charming. Privately, she was also impulsive, lively and fun-loving. Her interest in clothes made her a fashion model throughout Europe.

France was in dire economic straits with widespread poverty and rumors of the queen's lavish lifestyle came to see Marie Antoinette as a symbol of the wastefulness of the privileged classes. There were also rumors about Marie Antoinette's love affairs. Few love stories have been as talked about as the one between the queen and the Swedish nobleman Axel von Fersen. Axel von Fersen came from one of Sweden's wealthiest families and was exceptionally handsome. They were blindly in love with each other for life.

In 1789, the French Revolution broke out through the storming of the Bastille where the king and queen were imprisoned. In a secret exchange of letters between the couple from June 29, 1791, Marie Antoinette writes: Farewell, the most beloved and most loving of men. I embrace you with all my heart . Von Fersen's response and declaration of love was without reservation: I love you and I will love you madly for the rest of my life.

The royal couple was executed some time later, convicted of high treason, whereupon France became a republic. The only piece of jewelry Marie Antoinette is said to have worn during her stay in prison was a ring with an engraving by Axel von Fersen: Tutto a te mi guida - everything leads me to you.

Artist: Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun | Created: 1783.

Frame not included.

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