Leaders in Style

The Last “Golden” Age

Opulent, garish and glittering, the Second Empire Period was one long carnival. We turn from the refined Art Nouveau era to the mid 19th century, when the new fashion for revivalism saw an extravagant celebration of French style.

It is late spring in 1846. A painter named Badinguet boards a ship crossing the English Channel. As the French coast finally passes out of sight, “Badinguet” begins to breathe freely again. Napoleon’s nephew, Louis-Napoleon, is thanking his lucky stars, and his painter’s disguise. Having made good his escape from the Ham fortress, he is finally heading for freedom... By Jennie Sharpe  READ MORE