Marie Antoinette’s destiny is often recounted as a Shakespearean tragedy defined by hamartia, conflict, catastrophe, and a glimpse of restored order within the French Revolution. She is the most well-known of Maria Theresa’s sixteen children. The only female ruler of the Hapsburg dynasty, Maria Theresa excelled in early modern marriage politics, and “happily ever after” was the exception -- certainly not Marie Antoinette’s case.
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| Queen Marie Antoinette in 1787 with Marie Thérèse, Louis Charles, and Louis Joseph. Palace of Versailles (Wikimedia Commons) |
Inspired by the blockbuster exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, we will revisit Marie Antoinette’s agency in the fishbowl that was Versailles. Was she an innocent in the wrong place at the wrong time? Did her acts of disloyalty have malicious intent? Or was she, perhaps, a Helen of Troy whose face launched 17,000 guillotine blades? She was, in part, all of those things. Our contemporary view of her tends to emphasize idolization and pity more than hatred and outrage. We will be so bold as to ask why.
Light refreshments will follow the lecture and discussion with historian Christine Contrada.
When: Thursday, February 5th, 2026.
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Private residence (near Corso Trieste); exact address sent to confirmed participants.
Cost: €15 members; €20 non-members (who must, however, be guests of a current member)
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marina.
NB: Book early, as space is limited. Payment required by 1 February 2026.
