New Biography of Maria-Theresa

Richard Bassett's Maria Theresa Empress: The Making of the Austrian Enlightenment is published by Yale University Press is on 25th February.

Artists and Models - BBC vintage docu-drama

BBC4 is currently repeating the classic 1986 series Artists and Models, directed by Leslie Megahey, which dramatises the careers of David, Ingres and Gericault.

Chairs in high places - the trial

The high-profile case involving Bill Pallot's fraudulent sale of fake 18th-century chairs has finally come to trial.  He has apparently confessed all - wonder what his sentence will be?

Lynn Hunt on the Revolutionary self

Dr.Lynn Hunt publishes a new book, The Revolutionary Self: Social Change and the Emergence of the Modern Individual, 1770–1800 (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2025).  Available in the UK from 25th March.

Portrait of Louis XV on display at Versailles

 The Château de Versailles announces a special display of its recently acquired pastel portrait of Louis XV by Rosalba Carriera. The work, purchased in July 2024, can now be seen in the former apartments of Madame de Maintenon.

New film on Olympe de Gouges

 The 2023 TV film Olympe, une femme dans la Révolution was broadcast on 3rd March on France 2 and is now available on streaming services, including Prime Video, though, sadly, not as yet in the UK. The producer is Julie Gayet, who also stars in the title role.

Remembering Jean Calas

Today, we remembers the condemnation of Jean Calas on 9th March 1762 and Voltaire's fight for his rehabilitation. 

Watteau exhibition at Chantilly

From 8 March to 15 June 2025, the Château de Chantilly is devoting an exhibition to Watteau,  centring  around the holdings of the Musée Condé  (four paintings and six drawings) which have been newly restored.

The Revolution in 50 objects

 Jean-Clément Martin's lastest book La Révolution française – 50 objets racontent is published on 27th Feb.

Marie-Antoinette biopic - Season 2

 The second season of the blockbuster TV series Marie-Antoinette, written by Deborah Davis, and staring  Emilia Schüle and British actor Louis Cunningham, airs on Canal+ on February 17, 2025, and on PBS on March 23, 2025.  Promised soon on the BBC.

Dumas - "Black Devil" (film)

 French director Helmer Ladj Ly is to write and direct a new film Dumas: Black  Devil.

Art Institute of Chicago acquires Horvitz collection

Art Institute of Chicago announces the gift of the Horvitz Collection of French Old Master paintings and drawings, the subject of a recent exhibition.