Monday, July 10, 2006

Versailles

Ever since I attended a Romance Literature and Cultural Studies conference in Chicago years ago, I have been intrigued by the Chateau of Versailles. A French presenter described how Louis XIV would have picnics on the grounds and would have teams of well-hidden servants providing all the food and drink his guests needed without their presence being detected. Imagine "waiters" hiding in tree boughs attached to pully systems to that they could descend upon guests' wine glasses to replenish the drink as if by magic. Apparently Louis wanted an image of unadulterated privilege and elegance. The sight of a lowly servant would have ruined the spotlessly glorious ambiance. This sort of thing goes on a lot in advertising today but, thankfully Versailles has been cured. Here, I give you, Versailles Gardens with Workers.

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excellent!
Every age alters reality in some way or at the least trys to.

3:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interesting thought...to have hidden servants descending with all your tummy could desire. The visual of a deep, dark chocolate cake floating downward on a porcelain plate with a silver fork...oooooh! I'd just feel a bit weird that they [those servants] could also be watching everything that went on in those lovely gardens... scandalous or not!

11:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Couldn't find an e-mail for you.
The cinnamon basil is not identifiably cinnamon in taste to me but is just spicy different from others. I happen to like it. I use it just like any basil. Makes good pesto also.

1:08 PM  
Blogger Susan in Italy said...

Hi Tanna, Thanks for the basil ideas.

Hi Lotus, It must have been magnificant for those who were there to enjoy Versailles. I hope the invisivle servants got their share of spying done too!

4:12 PM  

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