"Delphinium," 2015
Power, beauty, intrigue, mystery, passion…these are just are few of the subjects addressed in the works of Alexia Sinclair. With historical figures like Queen Elizabeth and the last Czarina of Russia as central characters in her photography, Sinclair uses modern technology to bring their stories to life.
Through the
medium of digital photography and post-production techniques, her works take on
a magical and ethereal quality
reminiscent of old world painters like Francois Boucher.
"Bed of Roses," 2015
"Madame Pompadour" by Francois Boucher
All
of her pieces have the power to transport you to another time, but my favorites
are from her Rococo and Les Antoinettes series. Both series are inspired by the
decadent world of women like Madame Pompadour and Marie Antoinette. The period
is best known for a playful and sensuous spirit, which not only applied to art
and décor, but also to lifestyle.
Sinclair
seems to use the sensual and romantic
nature of the period as points of inspiration in works like “The Secret Garden."
In
pieces like “The Perfumed Garden," I can’t help but imagine Marie Antoinette
sneaking off for a rendezvous with Axel von Fersen.
Portrait of Marie Antoinette by Elisabeth Vigee-Le Brun, 1783
The
Les Antoinettes
series offers a glimpse into the timeline of Marie Antoinette’s life. From her
time hiding behind a mask while she flirted with Axel in “L’Opera de
Paris”…
to making a political statement using her headdress in “La Belle Poule”…
to
getting in touch with a simpler life at Le Petit Trianon in “La Coiffure Oiseau,” the
images whisk you into the magical world of the French Queen.
"Marie Antoinette in a Muslin Dress" by Elisabeth Vigee-Le Brun
Though the passage of time moves us further from the world of these women from history, Sinclair's fresh interpretations and use of technology presents the figures in a modern form. The works demonstrate the power of history and how timeless the themes remain.
