Madame Tussaud: and the History of Waxworks

by Pamela M. Pilbeam

The success of Madame Tussaud’s, from its beginnings in Paris before the French Revolution to its prolonged fame as a popular tourist attraction in London, bears out the fascination of waxworks. Pamela Pilbeam sees Madame Tussaud herself and her exhibition as part of the wider history of wax modeling and of popular entertainment. Tussaud’s catered for the public’s fascination with monarchy, whether Henry VIII and his wives or Queen Victoria, as well as for their love of history, acting as an accessible and enjoyable museum, but also providing the perennial fascination of the Chamber of Horrors.

Pamela Pilbeam sees Madame Tussaud herself and her exhibition as part of the wider history of wax modelling and of popular entertainment. Tussaud's catered for the public's fascination with monarchy, whether Henry VIII and his wives or Queen Victoria, as well as for their love of history, acting as an accessible and enjoyable museum (but also providing the perennial fascination of the Chamber of Horrors).

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2003

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating look at the changes in society around the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as well as the history of the art form of wax likenesses. The biography of Madame Tussaud was only one small, but still interesting,part of this book.