Friday, January 30, 2009

Marie-Antoinette Accused

"Marie Antoinette listening to the Act of Accusation" by Edward Matthew Ward.
She would never understand the audacity that enabled an individual to lie so shamefacedly, in such elaborate detail and at such great lengths about events that existed only in his mind, or in another's equally depraved. Had her poor husband gone through this, she wondered? Surely, he had; now it was behind him, and he was in Heaven.
~from Trianon, Chapter Seven: "The Sacrifice"
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9 comments:

Blogger70th Floor said...

Dear Elena Maria,
I read your article on Princesse de Lamballe. The story was sad but your writing was adorable. A big Thank You for sharing with us this invaluable information about such a remarkable piece of history. I grew up in Hong Kong. I have not studied a lot of Euro history. French Revolution however was on the first chapter of my history textbook when I was in the secondary school. While I was a Form Three student (education sys here adopts the English one) I wrote a play about Marie Antoinette. The play was performed by my classmates before the entire school. Since then French Revolution and the ladies associated with the event have enchanted me. We have a problem here in Hong Kong that things described in textbooks are merely plain and shallow. They are 2D. Nevertheless I think there are many more that we can tell from the past life and living of our ancestors. History should have been something 3D. And your work contributes to turn things into 3D. Bravo!

elena maria vidal said...

Welcome, 七十樓危危下望 and thank you for the kind words. Your play sounds wonderful. I think that the arts are excellent ways to make history come alive for people, which is why I have chosen to write historical novels. I am glad that your interest in those times has been kindled and I hope you enjoy the many resources on this blog. Thank you!

May said...

Yes, it's amazing how brazenly people can lie.

Now I want to read your novels even more... if only I had more time... however, hopefully I will be able to, soon.

Thanks for your wonderful posts, once again.

elena maria vidal said...

You are welcome, Hummingbird! You will enjoy the books very much, I think!

Passages to the Past said...

How devastated she must have been...so very sad to have your life end that way.

elena maria vidal said...

Very sad indeed.

Lucy said...

Just reading that passage...the beginning of the end for her...it's so sad. I can't wait to read your books.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful painting. It captures her regalness, even as she is slandered in the worst possible way, and with the crucifix right next to her, to contemplate upon. This was a painter who understood Christian virtue at its highest, and how Antoinette embodied it so perfectly in the end of her life.

elena maria vidal said...

Beautifully expressed, Georgette. Marie-Antoinette rose very quickly to great heights.