LE PLAFOND DU SALON DE DIANE
Current
The Painted Ceiling of
the Salon de Diane
The 17th-century Salon de Diane served as the ultimate entertainment room during Louis XIV's reign. It was frequented by the King, the royal family, and the court, who gathered there for games and revelry several days a week.
Spectators marveled at the King's skill in billiards, from two tiers of seating around the perimeter of the room. This chamber features numerous outstanding artworks, among them Lorenzo Bernini's 1665 sculpture of Louis XIV, capturing the essence of the youthful King in an unparalleled manner. It’s often described as the "grandest piece of Baroque portraiture."
The Salon de Diane is in the heart of the King's Apartments, now an integral part of the main visitors' tour.
Louis XIV, a keen hunter, sought to incorporate symbolism of it, along with fishing and trade, into the ceiling of the Salon de Diane. The design was crafted by Charles Le Brun, the King's First Painter, in collaboration with other distinguished artists of the time: Louis Gabriel Blanchard, Charles de La Fosse, and Claude Audran the Younger.
Since the royal family's forced departure from Versailles in 1789, the palace has served as a historical monument. The first restoration of the ceiling occurred in 1814, followed by a second one in 1955, 125 years later. Despite these efforts, the ceiling, originally painted in the 17th century, has suffered considerable deterioration and is now in urgent need of a modern restoration.
The ceiling of the Salon de Diane is comprised of a central panel, four archivolts, platbands, and overdoors. The canvases are showing signs of detachment in areas, resulting in numerous blisters and large gaps in the painted layer. Oxidized varnish layers cover the central tondo and archivolt paintings, rendering them opaque. Overpainting by previous restorations further obscures the compositions' clarity, particularly on the archivolts. Uneven surfaces are prevalent, with centuries of dust and grime accumulation exacerbating the deterioration.
The central composition depicts Diane, the goddess, in her deer-drawn chariot surrounded by maidens representing different Hours of day and night. Allegorical figures of Navigation and the Hunt, evoking the King's passions, are depicted in the foreground.
Painted by Charles de La Fosse and Claude Audran the Younger, the archivolts depict ancient themes celebrating the glories of Alexander, Jason, Cyrus, and Caesar. Themes of hunting and trade are represented, each with intricate detailing.
Teams of expert restorers will work diligently on both the paint layer and ceiling support structure to ensure the preservation of this historic masterpiece. Throughout the restoration process, a diverse range of trades and expertise will be utilized, reflecting the Palace of Versailles' commitment to artistic excellence. Technical and scientific oversight will accompany the project to ensure meticulous execution.
