March 14th 2023 - Septembre 17th 2023 Masterpieces of the King’s Chamber, The Echo of Caravaggio at Versailles

This exhibition turns the spotlight on the paintings in the King’s Chamber – one of the most admired rooms in the Palace of Versailles – enabling their true value to be appreciated for the first time at eye level. Come and admire this ensemble from the Louis 14th's private collection in the flats of Madame de Maintenon until Septembre 17 2023 ! 

The exhibition

In 1701, Louis XIV decided to convert the drawing room of his private apartment, which opened into the Hall of Mirrors at the time, into a state room, thus making it the epicentre of Court life. The king took a close interest in the alterations to the room and chose to keep five paintings by Valentin de Boulogne there, along with four medallion paintings that have been attributed to various artists over the years. However, three other paintings – by Giovanni Lanfranco, Nicolas Tournier and Valentin de Boulogne – were removed from the wood panelling to make way for the gilt stucco relief above the bed.

The conversion of the drawing room into a bedchamber revealed the monarch’s penchant for Caravaggesque painting: plain compositions with a virtuoso touch, playing on the density of shadows for optimum contrast with the lavish décor of the room, extensively embellished with gold. In this ceremonial room, the king chose to highlight both religious subjects – reflecting the Christian piety of his later years – and a French painter, Valentin de Boulogne. This artist was born in 1591 and is known to have been in Rome from 1614. He drew inspiration for his palette from the works left by Caravaggio in the Eternal City and from the low-life Roman characters with whom he spent much of his time until his death, in 1632.

The Palace of Versailles has gathered together in the apartment of Madame de Maintenon, for the first time, all nine canvases that hung in the drawing room, as well as the medallions, thanks to exceptional loans from the Louvre and the Tessé Museum in Le Mans.

Curator

This exhibition is curated by Béatrice Sarrazin, General Curator of Heritage at the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon.

in connection with the exhibition

The King's chamber modelled

Currently closed to the public for renovations, the King's chamber can be virtually visited thanks to a 3D model. 

audio tour

The audio guide of the Palace includes an audio tour of the exhibition in French and English. A distribution desk is available on site. The audio tour is also available on the mobile app.

practical information

The exhibition will be held at the Palace of Versailles from 14 march to 16 july 2023. The exhibition opening hours are the same as the Palace of Versailles opening hours.

Opening times and access

The exhibition can be accessed with the “Passport” or “Palace” ticket.

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles.

28,50 €

Buy

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles.

28,50 €

Read more

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and the gardens). Book online and enter to the Palace in the half hour following the chosen time.

It includes :

• the Palace with timed entry;
• the estate of Trianon;
• the temporary exhibitions;
• the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend); 
• the Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery (every weekend);
• the Musical Gardens or Musical Fountains Show in the Gardens;
• the Park.

To make the most of the Estate of Versailles, the Gardens are open from 8am, the Estate of Trianon from 10am. in July and August, the Gallery of Coaches from 12.30pm.

Please note that the opening hours of the groves are different from the opening hours for water and music. Please check in advance on this page.

The Gardens close exceptionally at 5:30 p.m. on days of Night Fountains Shows from June to September as well as Friday July 14, Tuesday August 15 and Saturday September 23. The Passport ticket with timed entry does not guarantee access to the Night Fountains shows.

Ticket valid for one entry into the Gardens, through the Honour Courtyard of the Palace or the gates of Little Venice, the Menagerie, Neptune or the Dragon. Please note that a second entry is possible, but only through a different gate than the one used for the first entry.

Tickets can be purchased on site subject to availability.

Rates on Musical Gardens and Fountains Show days

28,50 € Buy

Palace ticket

This ticket gives you access to the Palace.

19,50 €

Buy

Palace ticket

This ticket gives you access to the Palace.

19,50 €

Read more

Palace ticket

This ticket guarantees access to the palace of Versailles. Book online and enter to the Palace in the half hour following the chosen time.

• the Palace with timed entry;
• the temporary exhibitions;
• the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend); 
• the Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery (every weekend);
• the Park.

In order for you to make the most of the Estate of Versailles, the Gardens are open from 8am, the Estate of Trianon from 12pm., the Gallery of Coaches from 12.30pm.

From April 1^st, the Palace Gardens are only accessible on days when Musical Fountains Shows or Musical Gardens are not in session. The Passport guarantees access to the Estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and their Gardens).

Tickets can be purchased on site subject to availability.

Rates

19,50 € Buy