Glory of Cherubim 1707

©EPV/Didier Saulnier

Angels 1707

The decision to have monumental sculpted decoration on the balustrade and the pediment of the Royal Chapel was taken in around 1705. The carefully chosen subject matter of the decoration mixes allegory with great figures of Christianity. The four evangelists rub shoulders with the twelve apostles, the four Fathers of the Latin Church, the four Fathers of the Greek Church and six allegories of Christian virtue.

Sculptor
Guillaume Coustou (1677-1746)

Date sculpted
1707

Height and width
1.62 metres and 2.27 metres

Material
Saint-Leu stone

Restoration of the Royal Chapel

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THE CHERUBIM

Two cherub heads, framed wings, seem to burst out of a cloud.

Pediment of the Royal Chapel

© EPV/Thomas Garnier

THE SCULPTOR GUILLAUME COUSTOU

The brother of Nicolas Coustou, and like him a student of Coysevox, Guillaume Coustou left for Rome after being awarded the Premier Prix de Sculpture (1697). He returned to Paris before 1703 and was received at the Academy. He was employed by the department of the King’s Buildings at the Invalides, Versailles and Marly (Marly Horses which are today in the Louvre). His style is characterised by the strength of expression and, in this regard, Guillaume Coustou was also an excellent portraitist. Most of his work at Versailles concerned the Royal Chapel.

Portrait of Guillaume Coustou the Elder

© Château de Versailles, Dist. RMN / © Christophe Fouin

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