OUT OF THE SHADOW OF THE GUILLOTINE with Sylvia Sagona

The Spanish Teresa Cabarrus, the Creoles, Fortunée Hamelin and Rose de Beauharnais as well as the languid Juliette de Récamier played important political roles in the turbulent years following the French Revolution.

Thérèse, known as Our Lady of Thermidor for her part in bringing down Robespierre, rivalled Rose and Fortunée in outrageous behaviour, fashion invention and influence of the most powerful men of the time. Juliette’s salon showcased the first Romantic literature until she was exiled by Napoleon. These women constantly re-invented themselves to survive but symbolised the last flicker of female liberty before the 19th century boudoir door slammed shut.

Sylvia Sagona is an internationally recognised specialist on 19th century French society. She retired from the French Department at The University of Melbourne to work on historical documentaries for French and Australian television and is currently researching a book on the invention of the restaurant in Paris.

François Gérard (1770–1837), Portrait de Juliette Récamier (detail), 1805, musée Carnavalet, Paris