The 250-year ascent and descent of the French Bourbon dynasty is traced through the personalities depicted in the George Stuart Historical Figures® exhibition How Sweet Power Went Sour: The Bourbon Dynasty, opening at the Museum of Ventura County on May 17 and running through September 11.

The exhibit of one-quarter life-size sculptures highlights personalities such as Louis XIV, the personification of royal grandeur, and later rulers Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, symbols of excess and corruption, executed during the French Revolution. Other featured figures include Madame de Pompadour, Marie de Medici, Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis XVIII and Charles X.

Stuart’s accompanying monologues will be presented as three Tuesday lectures at 1:30 p.m. in the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Pavilion. Out with the Old - In with the New will be presented on June 7, The Age of the Sun King on July 5, and After Us, the Deluge on August 16. Each monologue is $15 for the general public, $10 for museum members, and includes admission to all museum galleries. For reservations, call (805) 653-0323 x 315.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.