For me, it was the gilded bronze, embossed copper, porcelain birdcage and the paintings of the gardens of Versailles (such as the View of Versailles from the Orangerie avove and Saturn Fountain in the gardens of Versailles below).
For exhibition ambassador Tina Arena, it is the marble sculpture of Latona and her children (above) that forms the centrepiece of the Latona Fountain on the main axis of Versailles’ gardens.
For you, it might be Marie-Antoinette’s harp (above), or the Nicolas-Andre Monsiau painting of Louis XVI giving his instructions to La Perouse before the oval officer sailed south for Australia in 1785 (below).
It might be the perfume that wafts through the entire exhibition space, Royal Delight by master perfumer Francis Kurkdijian, or the music that accompanies you on your journey through the exhibits.
Or it might be the array of fine wares on sale in the exhibition shop, because of course, the Gallery has outdone itself once more on this front. Think actual gold crowns, slippers and frocks fit for dauphines, golden chocolate and row upon row of French champagne.
Whatever it is that captures your imagination, taking you back to the era of the Sun King and his descendants, a visit to the Versailles: Treasures from the Palace summer blockbuster is a must.
The exhibition opens tomorrow and runs until April 17, 2017. You can catch up on our live video coverage of the media preview including a sneak peek at the exhibition and the store here:
Pictured are many of the priceless works on show during Versailles: Treasures from the Palace, which opens tomorrow and runs at the National Gallery of Australia until April 17, 2017. Photos: Charlotte Harper
Loading ...
