French Second Empire Collection
The French Second Empire was a time of opulence, elegance, and grandeur. It was an era marked by the reign of Emperor Napoleon III and his wife Empress Eugenie
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The French Second Empire was a time of opulence, elegance, and grandeur. It was an era marked by the reign of Emperor Napoleon III and his wife Empress Eugenie. In this captivating portrait from 1859, we see the Empress deep in prayer, her devotion evident on her face. Moving to the Longchamps Race Course in 1868, we witness the fashionable women of the time. One is dressed in a tunic over a white crinoline while another wears a stunning pink crinoline dress with an exquisite train. The racecourse itself opened its doors in 1857 and became a symbol of high society's love for horse racing. Stepping into cultural life, we find ourselves at the Theatre Francais in 1863. Mme. De R. , portrayed here, dons a cream crinoline dress adorned with a purple mantle and bonnet tied with yellow ribbon. The new foyer designed by Prosper Chabrol showcases marble statues of Voltaire - an homage to France's rich literary history. In contrast to these refined settings are scenes capturing everyday life during this period. Children frolic joyfully amidst the beauty of Tuileries Gardens in both 1859 and 1898 as captured through lithographs that have stood the test of time. Racing enthusiasts gather at Bois de Boulogne park in Paris during one sunny day in 1862. A woman wearing a violet crinoline dress paired with a mantelet cape watches intently as horses speed past her gaze - all depicted vividly through handcoloured lithography by R. V. The bustling Cafe de la Rotonde within Palais Royal comes alive before our eyes thanks to an enchanting lithograph from 1868. This establishment witnessed countless memorable moments shared among friends over cups of coffee or glasses filled with spirits. A fete held at Tuileries Palace transports us back to 1867, as depicted in an engraving from 1898.