Recently, I discovered that two of the court gowns from Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion can be seen in person at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in Washington DC in an exhibit called The Style that Ruled the Empires: Russia, Napoleon and 1812.
Since that is practically my backyard, we time-traveled to 1812 yesterday.
NAPOLEONIC LUNCH AT THE CAFE
Walking through lush gardens, we came upon the Meriweather Cafe where we took a seat on the lovely patio surrounded by the floral fragrances wafting from the surrounding gardens.
Presented with choices of the 1812 Russian menu or 1812 French menu, my daughter and I chose the French menu while my son chose from the Russian menu!
Teasing him, I asked “What would Napoleon say?” (We met him!)
My son grinned, but he loves fish and wanted the salmon, unlike my daughter and I who aren’t keen on fish.
While the Russian menu offered sunrise lemonade (straight), the French menu offered sunset lemonade (with grenadine cherry flavoring.)
Disappointed he didn’t get the cherry flavor, the waitress put some flavoring in my son’s tea…better not tell the Russians!
The French got onion soup, gourmet salad, and chicken salad on croissant.
The Russians got borsht soup, gourmet salad and cucumber, salmon, and a spread on pumpernickel.
We all tasted my son’s borsht since we’ve never had any before.
Although my son was glad to try it, it wasn’t his favorite, but he enjoyed the salmon.
For dessert we got Napoleons!
The Russians got a Napoleon flavored with mascarpone with honey, while the French got chocolate!
My son wanted a taste so I gave him a bit in return for the honey version and both were good.
As the waitress refreshed our lemonades, the sunset lemonades all turned to sunrise lemonades. 😉
Overall lunch was excellent, some of the best food I’ve had since moving to Virginia.
NAPOLEON EXHIBIT
Walking down shaded paths laden with hydrangeas, we arrived at the Dacha, a Russian country house, where no photography is allowed.
Inside told the story of Napoleon and his Grand Armee in Russia in 1812 through paintings, books, swords, armor, dragoon helmets, rifle, furniture, dinner services, etc, etc, etc.
The paintings of the campaign were incredible.
We saw the armor and dragoon hats some of the French army wore.
The armor was more to deflect long range bullets since it would not be strong enough to withstand any attacks up close.
There were two fascinating dragoon helmets, unlike any I’ve seen before.
The grand sword used by Napoleon’s step-son was on display.
Everything was in impeccable condition, even the sword.
The other side of the room showcased the Russian celebratory commemorative pieces that were mass produced shortly after they conquered Napoleon.
GOWNS FROM NAPOLEON AND THE EMPIRE OF FASHION
Arriving at the stunning showcase of lovely furniture and two stunning court gowns from the exhibition book, Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion, I analyzed to try to impress details into my memory.
Since we will be studying Napoleon in the autumn, I want to create period accurate gowns for my daughter and I.
Glad that I already have the book, Napoleon and Empire of Fashion, to reference, I’m even more glad to have the opportunity to see them up close.
Made of a sheer narrow striped silk gauze of golden hues, the first gown was displayed on a mannequin as seen in the book: shawl from India, a fan that features Napoleon, a jewelry set of cameo earrings, necklace, pin, and bracelets, tiara, and long gloves. (pages 90-93)
Comprised of meticulous goldwork embroidery and golden spangles, the second gown was displayed on the mannequin as seen in the book: fan, jewelry set of earrings and necklace, double tiara, and long gloves. (pages 180-181)
Since the mannequins were staged in front of mirrors, we could see the stunning backs of the gowns.
On each side of them were incredibly massive candlesticks with bases (about 3 feet tall) made of lapis lazuli, the stunning stone of wealth in the days of the ancients.
On each side were Empire chairs.
The Empire era reflects the ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles, easily seen in the furniture, fashion, and accessories.
GEORGIAN COLONIAL REVIVAL MANSION
After soaking in the exhibit, we walked through the gardens when suddenly a gorgeous Georgian Colonial Revival mansion built in the 1920s emerged from the gardens.
If anyone has ever wondered where some of the grand decor and military items of Marie Antoinette after the French Revolution, Napoleon’s army after the abdication, and the Czars of Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution ended up…look no more!
After Marjorie Post discovered them in Europe, she bought them and housed them in her house, which she wanted the public to enjoy as a museum.
Thus, we were able to enjoy their opulent grandness along with gowns, paintings, furniture, and artifacts of 18th Paris and early 20th century Russia!
Built in the 1920s, the house was purchased in 1955 by Marjorie Merriweather Post, daughter of the founder of Post Cereals.
As an only child, she learned the business trade from her father and inherited a fortune.
FRENCH COLLECTION OBTAINED
While married from 1920 to 1935 to her second husband, EF Hutton, she collected French antiques from 18th century Paris to decorate their home, the largest apartment in Manhattan…on Fifth Avenue.
Together they created Birdseye, which eventually became General Foods.
RUSSIAN COLLECTION OBTAINED
When her third husband was an ambassador to Russia in the 1930s, Marjorie Post began her collection of Russian artifacts from the Romanov family, some of which were obtained from commission shops and storerooms.
Eventually she hired a curator to help her who guided her in filling in the gaps.
GRAND FOYER
The foyer is full of massive paintings of Russian royalty including Catherine the Great.
FRENCH DRAWING ROOM
The French Drawing Room showcases the beginning of her collections which includes a piano and a chair of Marie Antoinette’s, which has her inventory stamp underneath.
The chair has a very low back which was convenient for the aristocracy to sit in while having their hair powdered.
They may have to go through as many as five clothing changes (and hair powdering) a day for various state or court functions.
PAVILION
There is a pavilion where Ms. Post could entertain guests in her media room, complete with lavender velvet wall (to absorb sound) and matching lavender velvet tufted sofas with pull out trays to hold refreshments.
At the far end was a grand bay window looking over the gardens.
Inside the bay window was a grand piano over which the media screen would come down for viewing.
Over the entry door was an elaborate balcony and ceiling mirroring the parquet floors.
DOWNSTAIRS LIBRARY
Then the English-styled richly paneled wood paneled library made me want to curl up in an elegantly cozy chair and read a classic.
In fact, my son was amazed by the Classics on the shelves: The Iliad, Les Miserables, etc, etc, etc.
DINING ROOM
The dining room was most grand, where the table was set according to the current Napoleon exhibit, showcasing Russian dinnerware commemorating the defeat of Napoleon.
The floral centerpiece showcased popular flowers of the era.
This detail was my favorite.
FRENCH PORCELAIN ROOM
Here we found the Benjamin Franklin commemorative set for his work towards the French American alliance.
There were also two cups and saucer sets which had love notes set in rubric in French. One saying still has not been translated.
GUEST ROOM
DRESSING ROOM
Her massive dressing room wonderfully showcased three of her personal gowns that she wore in the 1920’s. (Taking pictures without flash, as required, they were too blurred to keep.)
They are still in impeccable condition as was everything in the home.
PATERRE GARDEN
From her bedroom can be seen the gorgeous paterre garden.
HER BEDROOM
GIFT SHOP
Although the gift shop had lots of fun things, I was hoping for an exhibition book to purchase, since no photography was allowed at the Napoleon exhibit.
Hoping to remember all the lovely things we saw, sadly, no such exhibition book was available.
