Showing posts with label Louis XIV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Louis XIV. Show all posts
05 September, 2011
25 August, 2011
22 May, 2011
01 September, 2010
11 May, 2010
18 March, 2010
13 March, 2010
06 March, 2010
Dieting...
“I have very often seen the king ( Louis XIV ) eat four plates of different soups, an entire pheasant, a partridge, a large plateful of salad, mutton cut up in its juice with garlic, two good pieces of ham, a plateful of cakes, and fruits and jams.”.
by Henrietta Anne of England, Duchess of Orléans
27 January, 2010
23 January, 2010
13 December, 2009
11 September, 2009
Ruling Fashion
Louis XIV launched a fashion that remained at least for 150 years:
The use of elaborate wigs. As a monarch, his image was in constant appreciation and, consequently, being copied. The fact is that Luis XIV was getting bald so he asked his hairdresser to create him a set of luxurious wigs. Those became signal of lineage, nobility and ostentation, costing small fortunes, something impossible for the common citizens.
25 April, 2009
07 March, 2009
Golden Cage
The Royal Gate, which disappeared following the French Revolution, stands again in Versailles Palace courtyard, restoring its original double enclosure. Is now possible to experience the visual sensations the men and women of the 18th century felt as they approached Versailles. An 80 metre long wrought iron gate, just like the one which separated the Main Gate from the Royal Gate under the Ancien Regime is re-installed. 
The adornments are made of plate iron and bronze casting. The structure was reworked to obtain the finish of the former gates. All of the ironwork and ornaments were gilded on site with gold leaf, under covered scaffolding. 15 tons of iron were necessary for this project.
The addition of the ornaments was the final stage that crowned the achievement of a project started in summer 2006. A lighting system to highlight the structural elements (pilasters, sculpted groups, pediment coat of arms) was put the finishing touches on this change of appearance. 
At the end of the process, the palace courtyard restored its appearance of 1789 prior to the French Revolution in a layout that already provides improved conditions to receive the public.
Other projects have been carried out as part of this renovation campaign. The original level of the courtyard was restored (+ 40cm), and the cobbling was renewed. 
The equestrian statue of Louis XIV erected by Louis-Philippe on the location where the gate was restored was moved and will be restored and returned to a location that has yet to be determined. The sculpted groups of Peace and Abundance were restored and moved from the sentry boxes of the Main Gate to be placed on the pedestals of the new Royal Gate.Overall project budget: €9 million
10 November, 2008
07 November, 2008
04 November, 2008
28 August, 2008
03 August, 2008
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