ABSTRACT
Leaning upon visual theories and anthropological tourism studies, whilst sourcing evidence for the arguments in art history information, this book relied on a tailor-made survey for the topic, placing the results in the context of a hermeneutical interpretation of data found in either history or contemporary popular culture. From Hollywood film to Japanese fashion, original insights into the history of the eighteenth century were revealed and contributed to dispelling modernity’s founding myths. Pivotal to the analysis were contemporary visitor perceptions recorded at the Petit Trianon, which charted the uncontrolled and dissonant commodification of Marie Antoinette as well as spurious ‘memories’: a frivolous queen constantly nibbling at pink Ladurée macarons!
