Marie Antoinette Madness

Over the past few months, London has been over taken with all things Marie Antoinette in preparation for the Victoria and Albert's Museums exhibition, 'Marie Antoinette Style'.

As a life long Marie Antoinette devotee and huge fan of the 2006 Sofia Coppola film, I obviously had to take myself down to the exhibition as soon as it opened to gather some inspiration.

Kirsten Dunst's costumes from the 2006 film 'Marie Antoinette' designed by Milena Canonero

Shoes for the film designed by Manolo Blahnik.

What struck me about the exhibition, which also featured the French Queen's personal items from Versailles, was the hyper-femininity of the objects she preferred, all adorned with bows in shades of powder pink and blue. A style that in todays terms has been rebranded as 'coquette'.

Naturally, I was inspired to create my own piece themed around Marie Antoinette. I felt that the Queen's extravagant, notorious hairstyles had a distinctly poodle-like quality. I chose to paint a piece for my 'Pocket Puppy' collection, which features miniature, vintage-style dog portraits that would fit right in on the walls of Versailles.

The finished 'Antoinette' Pocket Puppy

The finished 'Antoinette' pocket puppy is distinctly dramatic and regal, with her huge bouffant with a pretty pink bow. I took the two overarching colours from Sofia Coppolas film for the powder blue background and light pink bow. I chose to paint the hand-cast resin frame white to emphasise the poodles white fluffy fur. She reminds me of a vintage powder puff! This piece really took on a life of her own as I painted it. I can just picture her perched on a silk pillow, holding court.

This piece is the perfect, dainty, sassy companion fit for a queen. Measuring just 9.5 x 11.5cm, ready to hang and light weight, this tiny unique poodle painting will pack a big punch in any room on her own or with your existing gallery wall art.

'Antoinette' in all her glory on the queens favourite 'Toille de Jouy' pattern.