Art History Series: The Yew Tree Ball, 24th February, 1745

The Yew Tree Ball, 24th February, 1745

This famous masked ball was put on for the marriage of Louis, Dauphin of France, son of Louis XV to Maria Teresa Rafaela, Infanta of Spain, daughter of Philippe V.

The extravagant ball takes place in the Hall of Mirrors starting at 11:30 and ending at 8:30. Hundreds of carriages are heading to the palace, lit up for the occasion. The masked guests arrive without needing an invitation and congregate in the Hercules Room, where a massive crowd of 1,500 await the doors of the King's State apartments to open to mark the beginning of the ball. Meanwhile, guests were treated to wonderful buffets of fish dishes, observing the lent, cakes, fruit pyramids, sweets, wines and liqueurs.

To the surprise of the guests, when the doors opened only the Queen appears, followed by the Dauphin and the Dauphine dressed in spring costumes (some say Shepherd and Shepherdess, others Gardener and Florist). After the death of the King’s last official mistress all ladies were excited to succeed her in her role. The court was rife with rumours about the meeting of the king with a lesser known lady and carnival season was the perfect time to settle the matter. During the course of the ball, 8 yew trees appear and one of them is revealed as the king in conversation with the future Madame Pompadour, here dressed as Diana (the goddess of the hunt), later in time formally presented to the royal court.

The painting is a donation to the king from Charles-Nicolas Cochin II.

Regards,

Julia

Invitation to the Yew Tree Ball, 1745

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