Inspiration-
This artwork was inspired by French Monarch, Marie Antoinette.

Marie Antoinette, the iconic Queen of France during the late 18th century, is a figure of both
intrigue and tragedy. Her reign at the lavish court of Versailles symbolized opulence and
extravagance, yet it was marked by the tumultuous backdrop of the French Revolution. She
was the last queen of France and is a far more complex figure than the symbol of royal
excess she is often portrayed as. Her life’s journey, from a fairytale to a tragic end, is a vivid
lesson in resilience. She became queen at a young age and navigated a world dominated by
men, constantly under intense public scrutiny.
Despite being criticised for her lifestyle during France’s economic struggles, she showed
remarkable strength and poise in the face of adversity. Marie Antoinette broke from the
restrictive norms of her time, embracing a unique fashion sense and supporting artists and
innovators. Her courage, even as she faced her tragic fate, serves as an enduring symbol of
grace under pressure. For modern women, her story can inspire strength, individuality, and
the courage to stand tall in the face of criticism.
Born into the Austrian royal family, Marie Antoinette's journey to the throne of France was
marked by grandeur and excess. Her extravagant lifestyle, exquisite fashion, and patronage
of the arts became legendary, earning her a place in history as a symbol of excess and
privilege. Yet, behind the luxurious façade was a woman navigating a complex and
tumultuous political landscape. Marie Antoinette faced immense pressures and
expectations as she grappled with the challenges of monarchy during a time of social
upheaval.

Her life, ultimately cut short by the guillotine during the French Revolution, is a stark
reminder of the power and perils of royalty in a changing world. Marie Antoinette's legacy is

one of contradictions, representing the allure of luxury and the harsh realities of political
turmoil. Her story continues to captivate as a cautionary tale of the intersection between
power, privilege, and the relentless march of history.

Technique-
A Reign of Decadence and Defiance (Ode to Marie Antoinette) was created by constructing a

hand-cut collage using female photographic portraiture, photographs of miniature gourmet
cakes, whipped cream swirls and ice cream sundaes creating a wig structure.
After coating the handmade paper with light-sensitive chemistry, it is left to dry in a dark
room. The large scale negative is then printed onto the paper by exposure to daylight (UV
rays). The print is then processed by thoroughly washing in water to remove any unexposed
solution. It can then be hung to dry, developing to full density Prussian blue after 24 hours.
Once dried the individual elements are hand cut and collaged together to create a
multi-layered, intricate paper-cut artwork.

Paper
Handmade recycled cotton rag paper and Arches watercolour paper: All the paper I make
from recycled cotton rags- they are ripped, blended and pulped then set in molds before
drying.
320gsm / 100% Cotton Rag / Recycled / Acid Free / Medium Rough
Mount
We use float mounting for all of our framed cyanotypes. The artwork floats above a
snow-white, archival and acid free, to showcase the paper texture and edging.
Framing
Framed artwork will arrive ready to hang with hardware.
All frames come with gallery spec, 2-3mm thick clarity, Artglass AR70 / 3mm anti-reflective/
79% UV protected glazing as standard.
This protects the cyanotype from fading and I prefer using clarity glass to showcase all
details of the artworks surface and handmade paper elements.