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| Miniature painting of a lady, possibly Madame de Montespan, in a rich interior 1690 Victoria & Albert Museum |
A member of the Paris fan-painters' guild created the scarcely credible miniature representation above. This is the most extreme expression of Louis XIV taste that I have personally encountered. By the year 1690 this famous king had already dominated France for several decades with his fetish for opulence. The artifacts below show the trend of the future, toward the lighter spirit and execution that floated to prominence once the old king was dead.
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| Wall lights France Gilt bronze with Chinese porcelain parrots and Valenciennes porcelain flowers 18th century Metropolitan Museum of Art |
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| Three-panel screen France Wool & linen tapestry-work, Savonnerie Manufactory ca. 1714-40 Getty |
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| Wall light Italian gilt bronze with porcelain flowers ca. 1750-60 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
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| John Michael Rysbrack John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough marble bust, carved posthumously c. 1722-48 Metropolitan Museum of Art Aquired by the Museum from the Duke of Northumberland sale in 2014 |
English translation of inscription on socle: IOHN Duke of MARLBOROUGH / Prince of the Roman Empire, & ca. / The Rescuer of the Liberties of / ENGLAND and HOLLAND / when in most Imminent Danger, The Subduer and Scourge of FRANCE when in its Height of Power, The Deliverer and Protector of GERMANY, When at the Point of Ruin, Who through the whole course, of A Ten Years Vigorous War, In Repeated Attacks, Upon the Enemies, Armies and Continual Assaults upon their Strong Townes, Never once fail’d of Success.
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| Fire dog France gilt bronze ca. 1750 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
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| Augustin Pajou Madame de Wailly marble bust 1789 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
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| Bernard van Risenburgh Side table ca. 1755-60 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
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| Jean-Antoine Houdon Winter bronze 1787 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
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| Juste Aurèle Meissonnier Candlestick gilt bronze ca. 1735-50 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
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| Jean Henri Riesener Side table ca. 1790 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
The grandeur, elaboration, and overall heaviness of 17th-century style reasserts itself with Michele Todini's giltwood harpsichord at the Metropolitan Museum, supported and accompanied by a suite of sculpted personages and aquatic demiurges.
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| Michele Todini Harpsichord giltwood ca. 1670 Metropolitan Museum of Art |