26 september 2023 - 28 january 2024 Noël Coypel
painter of grand decors

A major artistic figure of the 17th century, Noël Coypel is little known among the public today. His work will be showcased in a new exhibition in the Grand Trianon from 26 September 2023.

The Exhibition

Despite his many works, Noël Coypel's name is eclipsed by that of his sons, Antoine and Noël-Nicolas Coypel, and his grandson Charles-Antoine Coypel. 

Through a selection of over 80 works, including paintings, drawings and tapestry cartoons, the exhibition will highlight the talent and visionary eye of Noël Coypel. 

Exhibition sequence

The first part of the exhibition will be in the Cotelle Gallery in the Grand Trianon and will present works that evoke the painter’s greatest achievements. It will be a unique opportunity to discover lost decors, such as that of the king’s private apartment in the Tuileries, as well as works that are still visible today, such as the ceilings of the Dôme des Invalides and the parliament building in Rennes, which can be viewed on digital devices

The exhibition will continue in the Queen's State Apartment in the Palace of Versailles with the presentation of the ceiling of the Queen’s Guard Room, which was decorated by Coypel and was restored between 2015 and 2017.

Following this exhibition, the Rennes Fine Arts Museum will organise another exhibition on the artist’s whole career in 2024, in partnership with the Palace of Versailles.

Ceiling of the Queen’s Guard Room

© EPV / Thomas Garnier

Noël Coypel

The founder of a dynasty of painters, Noël Coypel (1628-1707) excelled in several fields, including ceilings, easel paintings, graphic arts and tapestry cartoons.

Noël Coypel (1628-1707)

© Château de Versailles, Dist. RMN / © Christophe Fouin

Link to the collections website

After initial training in Orléans, he returned to Paris and worked on the sets for Luigi Rossi's opera Orfeo. His work caught the eye of painter Charles Errard, then Director of Royal Decors at the Louvre, and grand decors became the main part of his work, starting with the parliament building in Rennes and followed by the royal residences and, in his final years, the Invalides. Some of these works have been lost, including those at the Louvre, Fontainebleau, the Palais-Royal and even the ones of the first Versailles, while others are only known about through a few paintings, which are presented in the exhibition.

In parallel, Noël Coypel enjoyed a brilliant academic career. He was received at the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1663 and was appointed teacher at the Académie de France in Rome in 1664. He was head of the latter from 1673 to 1675 and was appointed head of the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture 1695.

curators

The exhibition will be curated by Béatrice Sarrazin, General Curator for Heritage at the Musée National des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon, and Guillaume Kazerouni, Head of Old Art Collections at the Rennes Fine Arts Museum.

A few OF the artist’s WORKS

Le char de Jupiter entre la Justice et la Piété, Noël Coypel, vers 1671

© EPV / Christophe Fouin

Link to the collections website

Apollon couronné par la victoire après la défaite du serpent Python, Noël Coypel, vers 1701-1707

© RMN-GP (Château de Versailles) © Gérard Blot

Link to the collections website

Le triomphe de Saturne, Noël Coypel, 1672

© RMN-GP (Château de Versailles) / © Michèle Bellot

Link to the collections website

Apollon et Mercure, Noël Coypel, vers 1688-1689

© EPV / Christophe Fouin

Link to the collections website

 

Partners

pratical Information

The exhibition will be held in the Grand Trianon and the Queen’s Guard Room from 26 September 2023 to 28 January 2024.

pratical information
  • The exhibition will be held during the high season and the low season. Please check the opening times for the Palace and the Estate of Trianon. 
  • Book a “Trianon” ticket for the Cotelle Gallery or a “Passport” ticket to access the whole exhibition (including those eligible for free admission).

Billet domaine de Trianon

Ce billet donne accès au domaine de Trianon, aux expositions temporaires et au Parc.

12 €

Acheter

Billet domaine de Trianon

Ce billet donne accès au domaine de Trianon, aux expositions temporaires et au Parc.
12 €
Read more
Billet domaine de Trianon

Ce billet donne accès au domaine de Trianon à partir de 10h en juillet et août.

Il inclut l'accès :

À partir du 1er avril, les Jardins sont payants car ils sont animés par les Grandes Eaux Musicales ou les Jardins Musicaux. Vous avez la possibilité de prendre le billet Passeport qui permet d’accéder à l'ensemble du domaine de Versailles (Château, domaine de Trianon et les Jardins).

L’achat sur place est possible dans la limite des places disponibles.

Tarifs

12 € Acheter

Passeport

Ce billet donne accès à l'ensemble du domaine de Versailles.

28,50 €

Acheter

Passeport

Ce billet donne accès à l'ensemble du domaine de Versailles.
28,50 €
Read more
Passeport

Ce billet donne accès à l'ensemble du domaine de Versailles  (Château, domaine de Trianon et l'ensemble des jardins). Grâce à la réservation en ligne, entrez au Château dans la demi-heure suivant l’horaire choisi.

Il inclut l'accès :

Pour profiter de l'ensemble du domaine de Versailles, les jardins sont accessibles dès 8h, le domaine de Trianon dès 10h en juillet et août et la galerie des Carrosses dès 12h30. 

Attention, les horaires d’ouverture des bosquets sont différents des horaires de mise en eau et en musique. Renseignez-vous à l’avance sur cette page.

Les jardins ferment exceptionnellement à 17h30 les samedis de Grandes Eaux Nocturnes de juin à septembre ainsi que le vendredi 14 juillet, le mardi 15 août et le samedi 23 septembre. Ce billet n'inclut pas l'accès aux Grandes Eaux Nocturnes. 

Billet valable pour une entrée dans les Jardins, par la Cour d’Honneur du château ou les grilles de la Petite Venise, de la Ménagerie, de Neptune ou du Dragon. Attention, une seconde entrée est possible, mais uniquement par une autre porte que celle empruntée lors de la première entrée.

L’achat sur place est possible dans la limite des places disponibles.

Tarifs les jours de Grandes Eaux et Jardins musicaux

28,50 € Acheter