Throughout her tumultuous reign as a young queen, before her tragic decapitation, Marie Antoinette graced numerous portraits, capturing her enigmatic presence. Yet, thanks to the marvels of CGI technology, we can now glimpse a more vivid representation of her true likeness.
Presenting an exquisite waxwork recreation, Marie Antoinette is depicted in all her opulent glory, dripping with luxurious adornments that epitomize her extravagant lifestyle. The uncanny realism of this creation is such that it feels as if the Queen of France herself is casting a direct gaze upon us, evoking a momentary sense of awe and reverence. The question arises: should we bow in deference or pay homage to her regal stature?
The Face of an Archer
500 years after drowning aboard Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose, scientists have been able to give us a glimpse of the legendary ship’s archer. His work as an archer had severely damaged his shoulder joints, twisted his spine, and caused grooves to appear inside of his right finger bone. The archer was taller than most of the crew at 5ft 10in and had especially strong legs.
A strong body was essential for an archer at the time because the 16th-century longbow had a draw of up to 90kg. The man’s skull was scanned by laser to create an exact replica using a 3D printer. It was then sent to forensic expert Oscar Nilsson, who specializes in reconstructing the faces of unidentified bodies for police investigations. Nilsson then built up the archer’s face to create the final image.
Marie Antoinette
Perhaps Marie Antoinette, the ill-fated French queen, is best known for a phrase she never actually said ("let them eat cake") and for losing her head. Once you learn that Marie Antoinette was crowned the Dauphine of France at the very young age of 19, her misguided spending habits become a little more understandable.
The French Revolution ushered in an era of seismic political and social shifts that ensured that Marie Antoinette was certainly the last queen of France. Tragically, she was executed in 1793 at Place de la Concorde, which is now a popular tourist attraction in Paris, France.
Anna Marie Tussaud
Anna Marie Tussaud, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for several astonishingly lifelike wax depictions, embarked on her artistic journey under the tutelage of Phillipe Curtis, a doctor and a passionate waxwork artist. It was through this fortuitous encounter that Marie discovered her innate talent for the craft, honing her skills to create remarkable wax figures of prominent figures of her era.
Her artistry knew no bounds as she meticulously crafted wax renditions of revered icons, including luminaries like Benjamin Franklin and Voltaire, capturing their essence with remarkable precision. Anna Marie Tussaud's unwavering dedication and skillful craftsmanship have forever immortalized these historical figures.
Madame Tussauds
Marie's passion for her wax creations, forged in collaboration with Curtis, took her on an extraordinary journey across the European continent. Eventually, she established a lasting legacy by founding a permanent exhibition on London's iconic Baker Street, which stands today as the renowned "Madame Tussauds." This visionary venture has since flourished, expanding into a global network of esteemed wax figure museums.
In this particular instance, we are presented with a remarkable wax figure: none other than the pioneering woman who sparked it all. It is almost unimaginable to visit Madame Tussauds without encountering a lifelike depiction of the ingenious Madame Tussauds herself, for her absence would indeed leave a palpable void in the immersive world she created.