MARIE ANTOINETTE 2025
Installation
Dress form, crinoline, grand pannier, fabric scraps, thread
Height: 170 cm
Circumference: 650 cm
Train: 730 x 280 cm
Künstlerhaus S11, Solothurn, 2025
This work critically examines the themes of fashion, luxury, and social conduct through the creation of a historically inspired dress. The piece faithfully reproduces the gown worn by Queen Marie Antoinette in 1785, as portrayed in the renowned painting by Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun.
The image is emblematic of a profound historical juncture: only four years later, the French Revolution would dismantle the monarchy. Symbolically, the artwork reflects the decadence of Western society and the inevitable repercussions of overindulgence, which precipitated not only the fall of the monarchy but also a transformative moment in European history.
The artist draws a compelling connection between this historical context and contemporary society, where the relentless pursuit of trends and material comfort has brought the planet’s natural resources to a critical threshold.
Through this work, the artist advocates for a reimagined approach to fashion and lifestyle. Inspired by Le Brun’s portrait, she constructed the dress from reclaimed materials, sequins, and threads obtained from the Hoferhecht embroidery factory in Austria, Marie Antoinette’s homeland, offering a stark contrast to the lavish garments traditionally associated with the queen.
By juxtaposing fashion-driven social behaviours with current ecological challenges, the piece illuminates the contradictions inherent in consumer culture and encourages reflection on the tension between historical ideals and contemporary environmental imperatives.
Credits: © Patricia Jacomella Bonola