Versailles & the World
Imagine a grand French palace – the most beautiful you’ve ever seen. Furnished with glittering gold and exquisite art from around the world, where hundreds of mirrors reflect the light from the opulent chandeliers and illuminate the rooms like jewels. You walk in the elegant gardens, adorned with priceless sculptures and magnificent fountains and are amazed by the crowds of people from France, Europe and distant lands alike. Ladies dazzle in extravagant gowns, with diamonds from India and pearls from the Gulf. The chatter of unfamiliar languages fills the air, as men, wearing silks and swords, wigs and turbans, debate politics, art and science. The sweet smell of incense and coffee from the Arab world and chocolate from South America floats in the breeze. And in the midst of this spectacle, his majesty the King of France, welcomes ambassadors from across the globe appointed to this extraordinary court.
Welcome to 17th century Versailles….
Louvre Abu Dhabi, in partnership with musée national des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon, and in collaboration with France Muséums is delighted to present Versailles & the World - an exhibition which invites you to immerse yourself in 17th-18th century Versailles and discover this unique meeting place for different civilisations.
With more than 100 artworks, including paintings and decorative arts, the exhibition illustrates how Versailles became an important centre for diplomatic relations between the East and West. It also explores the impact these exchanges had on European art and culture, and how international diplomacy inspired a competitive pursuit of excellence in science and astronomy in France, leading to discoveries which changed contemporary understanding of the world.
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