RSSMadame Tussauds is the world famous wax museum that has its base in London, which owes it origin to Marie Tussauds, a wax sculptor. The 200-plus-year-old museum still attracts millions of people, adding more to its popularity. Even though many attributes have contributed to the success of this wonderful wax museum, it is the curiosity of the people that has majorly contributed to its success.
Even today, millions of visitors flock the museum and feel that they are experiencing an emotionally-charging trip, very unique and beautiful. The poles and ropes of the museum have been styled in such a way that the visitors, get a chance to be very close as well as personal to their favourite celebrities, the list of which includes Hollywood stars, Bollywood stars, sportspersons, historical icons and many more. The visitors feel that they are reliving older times, while the world talks to them during the journey.
History
The roots of the museum can be dated back to Paris during 1770. Hence its history is really fascinating and an exquisite one. Madame Tussaud was born as Anna Maria Grosholtz in 1761, whose mother was the housekeeper of a cosmetic surgeon by name Dr Philippe Curtius. He was a specialist in wax sculpting. Slowly, he started teaching the little Maria the art of wax modelling. The first wax works of Maria were displayed in 1770, with the first one being that of Marie-Jeanne du Barry, who was the mistress of Louis XV. She became a tutor to the sister of King Louis XVI.
When the French Revolution took place, she had to prove her loyalty to the French Lords by designing the death masks of those aristocrats who were executed. She travelled In Britain exhibiting the effigies of public heroes as well as rogues during 19th century.
She was a person who brought in a revolution in communicating news. During that time when there was no medium for communicating news, she acted as a travelling newspaper and informed the public with the events happening across the globe. She set up her permanent base in London in 1835 at Baker Street Bazaar. She charged ‘six pence’ from the visitors to meet the biggest names of that time. In 1884, she moved her exhibition to the current location, which is situated in the Marylebone Road.
Madame Tussauds – A Perfect Blend Of History With Celebrity
The role played by Madame Tussauds started undergoing a comprehensive change during the 20th century due to the faster growth of the media and public awareness. The exhibition became more like commentary on the popular celebrities. After facing quite a few challenges including the Blitz Bombing during World War II in 1940, Madame Tussauds renovated itself to the current state that is a perfect blend of infamy, glamour and intrigue of the celebrities of the current generation.
The London museum is still the home to some among the original works of Madame Tussauds, which includes the death masks she had to make for proving her loyalty. One of the most famous animated character, the Sleeping Beauty and the sleeping mistress of Louis XV, Madame du Barry that was sculpted by Tussauds in the year 1763 are among the oldest attractions at the museum.
When coming to contemporary days, you can see the wax models ranging from Hollywood ‘demi-God’ Brad Pitt to the fashionable Kate Moss, besides whom you can click a snap. The museum is the home to some of the biggest names of the century from various fields of entertainment, sports, politics and everything is very authentic.
A Contemporary View of The Museum
The Museum has its branches in Amsterdam, Bangkok, Berlin, Hollywood, Hong Kong, Las Vegas London, New York, Shanghai and Washington D.C. The figures of the contemporary celebrities are added on a regular, which shows that they definitely pay heed to the public opinion. Some among the most popular celebrities of Bollywood like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aiswarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan have their wax figures at the museum.
Madame Tussauds museum is a must visit during your trips to anyone of these places. Don’t miss to unleash yourself and get emotionally charged at Madame Tussauds.
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