Empfindsamkeitsarchitektur

A new study reveals that the Hameau de la Reine, a rustic village-like ensemble built for Marie-Antoinette within the Palace and Park of Versailles, embodies the paradoxical nature of 18th-century aesthetic ideals. Despite its outward rural appearance, some buildings were inhabited by staff or used for agricultural purposes, while others served as lavish entertainment spaces for the court, with interiors adorned in opulence. The research, led by Felix Vogel, leverages previously overlooked archival sources to reconstruct the Hameau's origins, functions, and usage during the emerging epoch of sensibility (Empfindsamkeit). It explores themes such as the objectification of architecture, the status of displayed bodies, and the artificial creation of naturalness, demonstrating how authenticity became an aesthetic calculation with lasting implications. This study challenges conventional perceptions of the Hameau's purpose and significance, offering insights that extend beyond Versailles to broader cultural and historical contexts.

Vogel, F. (2023). Empfindsamkeitsarchitektur. https://doi.org/10.4000/books.editionsmsh.55558