arthipstory

Fragonard was commissioned by Madame Du Barry to do a series called “The Progress of Love.”

Madame Du Barry was the grand mistress of Louis XV (reminder: XV was the penultimate King of France before his grandson XVI ruined…well, everything royal…with the French Revolution).

Barry was also gifted the most sensational diamond necklace by same guy, who died before its ultimate finish, which sucks because she didn’t even get to keep it: She was of course banished by his grandson, Louis XVI.

Things don’t end up well for Barry: She ends up both banished by Louis XVI and without an incredible diamond necklace (it was a huge scandal, called simply “The Affair of the Necklace,” which…so boring).

Before all that bad news, however, is this gorgeous “The Lover Crowned.” I’m so obsessed. I can’t wait to drape a man in a goddamn laurel as if to say, “”I PHYSICALLY CROWN YOU WITH MY LOVE.”

What a pair we’d make…just don’t banish me without diamonds.

Now, I’m not one to be particularly topical on this thing (that’s more for cocktail parties and catered river cruises), but DANG!, the recent work that’s been done on this discovered Amelia Earhart photograph is fascinating!

Apparently, “Nana” was a pet name for 19th-century women of…pleasure.

My grandmother would be beside herself if she knew this.

Whatever, I’m gonna applaud this particular Nana because, hello, look at her just completely ignore this dude on the right to powder her nose.

I work similarly, in that I’ll tell my date (or friends, or family, or really anyone) I’m needing just a few minutes…but I’m still painting my nails while charging my phone on the nightstand.