Marie-Jeannette Bécu, Comtesse du Barry (1743—1793) was a French courtesan who became the mistress of Louis XV of France and was one of the famous victims of the Reign of Terror during the French revolution. The illegitimate daughter of a seamstress she grew to be a remarkably attractive blonde woman who came to the attention of Jean du Barry, an upmarket pimp/procurer in 1763. He made her his mistress and helped establish her career as a courtesan in the highest circles of Parisian society, enabling her to take several wealthy men as her benefactors. In 1769 she married du Barry’s brother, Comte Guillaume du Barry, and was presented to Court; she soon became the king’s official mistress. She soon grew increasingly unpopular because of the King’s financial extravagance towards her, and her relationship with Marie Antoinette, the Dauphine of France, was contentious. After the king’s death in 1774 she resumed her career as a courtesan. In 1793 she was arrested by the Revolutionary Tribunal and was guillotined in the Place de la Concorde on 8 December 1793.
Marie Antoinette (2006): Supposedly tells the story of ‘tells the story of the most misunderstood and abused woman in history’, which is a dubious declaration on both counts – though it is arguable whether she was stupid or conniving, or both. Whatever, this vacuous but pretty film contributes little to entertainment or understanding despite Asia Argento’s beautifully contemptuous expression during her brief appearance as madame du Barry. Jean-Luc Russier was the key makeup artist.
Marie Antoinette (2006, TV): Coming soon . . .
Du Barry Was a Lady (1943): In this Ziegfeld musical hat check man Louis Blore is in love with nightclub star May Daly (Lucille Ball), who is, of course, herself in love with a penniless dancer. When Louis gets knocked on the head he dreams that he is King Louis XV pursuing the infamous Madame Du Barry – who bears an uncanny resemblence to May. Jack Dawn was the makeup designer.
Madame Du Barry (1917): Featured Theda Bara as madame du Barry. I have no makeup credts for this movie.