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One of the most popular rooms in the Palace of Versailles, the King’s Chamber is better known for its symbolism than for the masterpieces it holds. The aim of this exhibition is to give the paintings that adorn these chambers the attention they deserve by admiring them for the first time at eye level.

In September 2022, the Palace of Versailles began a major restoration campaign for Jean Nocret’s painting, The Royal Family in Olympus. With its imposing dimensions – around 12 m2 – this work is the largest surviving French portrait from the 17th century. The painting will be on public display once the restoration of the Œil-de-Bœuf antechamber is completed in the spring of 2024.

The Palace of Versailles launched ambitious works to restore the Buffet d’Eau in the Grand Trianon’s gardens thanks to the Fondation Bru. This little-known fountain features spectacular water effects, and is set to be restored to its former glory. Due to run for eighteen months, the works will draw on a range of different fields of expertise to bring the Grand Trianon gardens’ water features back to life.

Versailles is synonymous with large sculpted, gilded and painted decorations, of which Noël Coypel was one of the outstanding creators in the 17th century. Thus, nowhere could be more appropriate than the Palace of Versailles to evoke these large ensembles, which are highlights of this now all but forgotten artist’s work, whose career nevertheless flourished under the wealth of power.