Travel Central and Western Europe (106) - Palace of Versailles, Paris, France (7)
2023-05-19
Louis XIV was a man of great vanity. It is said that his legs were not very beautiful, so he specifically asked artist to paint this oil painting for him. He specially painted his legs beautifully and put them on display. display. The Palace of Versailles is excessively pursuing grandeur and luxury, but residential function is inconvenient. There is no toilet or toilet in palace. Can you imagine that even crown prince had to defecate in fireplace in the bedroom?
The Hall of War is located in northwest corner of main building, west of Hall of Apollo, facing garden on north and west side, and leading to Hall of Mirrors on south. The decoration of hall was done by Mensah and Le Brun, mostly oil paintings reflecting achievements of Louis XIV in conquest of Spain, Germany and Netherlands.
Above gilded fireplace is an equestrian bas-relief of Louis XIV.
This is Hall of Mirrors, also known as Hall of Mirrors. South of Hall of War, it is considered "treasure of city" in palace of King Louis XIV of France. most luxurious and magnificent palace of Versailles. Part of it is a palace dedicated to Louis dynasty when receiving ambassadors from different countries.
The most famous hall of Palace of Versailles has been transformed from a promenade. It is 76 m long, 13 m high, and 10.5 m wide. One side is 17 huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking garden, while other side is a huge mirror made up of over 400 mirrors. The floor of hall is carved from precious woods, walls are finished with lavender and white marble veneer, and columns are made of green marble. The capitals, bases and bastions are made of gilded brass, and theme of decorative pattern is sun spreading its wings, expressing respect for Louis XIV. On ceiling are 24 huge Bohemian crystal chandeliers and oil paintings praising merits of Sun King. In center of east side of hall are four doors leading to king's bedroom. During era of Louis XIV, bonsai furniture and decorations in mirror gallery were also made of sterling silver, and grandiose masquerades were often held here.
There are 24 huge Bohemian crystal chandeliers and oil paintings on ceiling, praising merits of Sun King. In center of east side of hall are four doors leading to king's bedroom. During era of Louis XIV, bonsai furniture and decorations in mirror gallery were also made of sterling silver, and grandiose masquerades were often held here. At night dance, hundreds of candles are lit in hall, and a huge glass mirror reflects light of candles, bright as day.
On June 28, 1919, France, Great Britain, United States and other countries signed Treaty of Versailles with Germany in Hall of Mirrors, and First World War came to an end.
The painting on dome of Gallery of Mirrors is a huge oil painting by Leblanc that sways and is full of momentum, describing memorabilia from reign of Louis XIV and showing a historical picture of turbulence.
