Mozart at Versailles

**Philip** · #1 11-30-2023, 04:21 PM

In December 1763, along with his mother, father and sister and at the tender age of twelve, the musical whizz-kid Wolfgang-Amadeus Mozart found himself in Paris as part of a long European tour. In late December of that year the family were invited to Versailles where they were recieved by Louis XV. They stayed for 16 days. Here's our lad entertaining an audience during his time there.

With graphics by Pierre Guerin, this little diorama was published by L'Instant Durable, Clermont-Ferrand, 1991, in their "Grand Angle" series. I built it many moons ago as a promotional model for a shop specialising in period music. As the finishing touches of the model were just about done the premises stopped trading. Story of my life. But shed no tears as shortly after it served it's original purpose for a couple of years in Pollock's Toy Shop, London. A happy ending after all.

Apart from Mozart at the harpsichord and his father Leopold on violin, others present include Anna-Maria (mother), Nannerl (sister}, Louis XV, Marie Lesczeynska (queen), Louis (Dauphin), Baron de Grimm, Marquise de Pompadour, Madame Victoire and Madame Adelaide, although I couldn't tell you who was whom. Whenever we have a clear out of redundant stuff at home this is one of the models that always gets a reprieve.

All the gory details: Visit from the child Mozart, 1763-1764 | Palace of Versailles

**Vermin_King** · #2 11-30-2023, 04:29 PM

Marvelous work, sir!

**Thumb Dog** · #3 11-30-2023, 05:47 PM

Hi All,

And hi, Philip. Quite the colorful soiree you have there. Well done on your build. It took me a minute to find Papa Mozart’s reflection in the mirror over the fireplace. I wonder if Wolfie traveled with his own harpsicord, as the small instrument seems built for a child.

The setting reminds me of a cross between the Amber Room and an Ames Room. I’ll go stand in the corner, now.

Handsome model. Thanks for posting.

Score and fold,

Thumb Dog

**Siwi** · #4 12-01-2023, 02:32 AM

Some more information from the Chateau de Versailles: https://en.chateauversailles.fr/disc...zart-1763-1764

Bear in mind that even at this age, Wolfgang had already composed symphonies and opera as well as numerous keyboard sonatas and pieces for violin and chamber groups. I'm not sure if the Mozarts took a harpsichord or fortepiano with them. I imagine any royalty or rich patrons would want to show off what sophisticated instruments they owned, and from experience harpsichords are fragile and tempermental things. We are very careful when taking one in a Mercedes with soft suspension; imagine a cart on eighteenth century roads.

**Paskal** · #5 12-01-2023, 02:41 AM

Wonderful Philip. I love this kind of romantic scene.

**Aloniuk** · #6 12-01-2023, 04:58 AM

Amazing perspective in this one......

**Philip** · #7 12-03-2023, 03:22 PM

Thank you for stopping by, friends. Made my day.

**Butelczynski** · #8 12-03-2023, 07:06 PM

I'm not sure if I remember this correctly but I think this very scene was portrayed in some movie.

Marie Leszczynska (The Queen) is the elder lady in red in middle. She was the longest serving Queen of France- over 42 years on throne. She passed away just 5 years after this concert in 1768. Long time ago history of Polish nobility in France (and vice versa) was my hobby. Thank you for bringing her back to me .

**papermodelfan** · #9 12-03-2023, 10:06 PM

A delightful diorama. I would love to acquire an original, though they are rather hard to find. Thanks for sharing!

**Tapcho** · #10 12-04-2023, 12:03 PM

Yet another gem Philip! I guess the figure behind the hapsicord portray Wolfgang's sister Nannerl. There is a period watercolour painting of the 'family trio' from 1777 by Louis de Carmontelle with similar postures. Wolfgang's story we know but Nannerl never got a chance because of her gender. Yet she was the the first child prodigy of the family.

Philip my friend, you offered me another wonderfull tour of history with this build.

Tappi