Monarchy and Myth-Making: The Case of Marie Antoinette

Why is an Austrian archduchess who died nearly two-and-a-half centuries ago on a scaffold in Paris still one of the most famous characters in history, the object of countless films, TV series and exhibitions throughout the world? Why does she continue to inspire fashion collections and advertising campaigns? What makes her such a recognisable figure in contemporary political cartoons and not just in eighteenth-century caricatures? In this talk, Catriona Seth will discuss how we can separate fact from fiction in the case of Marie Antoinette, but also how we can attempt to explain her current mythical status.

This talk has been organised in association with the Centre for Eighteenth-Century Studies at Queen’s University Belfast, as part of the Centre’s 25th anniversary celebrations.