Faculty of Design

Illustration

Edouard Potvin

Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette's Perceptions

““It is with fi ncere regret we confi rm the general report of yefterday, refpecting the fate of this unfortunate Princess, who fuff ered under the axe of the guillotine on Wednefday laft the 16th inftant; after having been condemned on the preceding day by the National Convention, as guilty of having been acceff ary to and having cooperated in diff erent manoeuvres againft the liberty of France;— of having entertained a correfpondence with the enemies of the Republick;— of having participated in a plot tending to kindle civil war in the interior of the Republick, by arming Citizens againft eachother.” (MA) The Evening Mail 1793.During Marie Antoinette’s trial she was accused of numerous things, treason, conspiracy, spending millions of the crowns money, promiscuity, and sexual abuse of her own son. Most if not all of these accusations were lifted from rumors and libelles written against her. Before her execution, her hair was cut off, and she was driven in a cart wearing a white dress. She was then executed by guillotine and her body thrown in an unmarked grave.(CA) Ultimately all that we know about her is dictated by the writings on her person, scandalous libelles, articles and rumors, her real personality will be forever lost in the fog of public discourse.”