Mordaunt HISTORIES & PEOPLE

Gatherings of Equal Minds: Ruelle, Salon, and the Chambre Bleue of Madame de Rambouillet 

Réunion de dames, Abraham Bosse, 17th century The kind of gathering called “salon” first appeared in Italy in the 16th century, but developed in France throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Alongside fostering political and social alliances and exchanges, the purpose of such gatherings of “equal minds” adhered to Horatio’s definition of the purpose of … Continue reading Gatherings of Equal Minds: Ruelle, Salon, and the Chambre Bleue of Madame de Rambouillet 

Mordaunt HISTORIES & PEOPLE

The Guest List of the Duchess de Chevreuse!

The Luynes Staircase at the Musée Carnavalet "Pandora" (Chapter 13), lists several guests from the gathering, at the townhouse of the Duchess de Chevreuse who have historical counterparts, besides Marie Cessette, M. de Rohan, and Sylvine Mercier, who are fictional.  Below is a.... "who is who" from the duchess' guest list! Click here, find out why … Continue reading The Guest List of the Duchess de Chevreuse!

Mordaunt HISTORIES & PEOPLE

Pandora(s) or Why we picked that title for Chapter 13

The Dolls One of the oldest fashion dolls is displayed in the Livrustkammaren (Royal Armory Museum) in Stockholm. She has clothes made of silk which are embroidered with gold and silver thread. Her wig is made from real human hair and is styled in an elaborate coiffure. The high quality of the doll’s clothes and … Continue reading Pandora(s) or Why we picked that title for Chapter 13

Mordaunt PLACES & LANDSCAPES

Which Hôtel de Chevreuse?

Hôtel de Chevreuse, (later Hôtel d'Épernon, then Hôtel de Longueville) vs. Hôtel de Chevreuse (later Hôtel de Luynes). Street front of the Hôtel de Chevreuse (later Hôtel d'Épernon, and later Hôtel de Longueville) before 1655, engraved after Jean Marot and published in Topographia Galliae. This is great example of how aristocrats owned several mansions in Paris. … Continue reading Which Hôtel de Chevreuse?