Jean Cotelle 1646–1708: Gardens and Gods

Grand Trianon, Versailles

NOW CLOSED

View of the Grand Trianon taken from the beds, with Flora and Zephyr (detail; c. 1688), Jean Cotelle. RMN-Grand Palais (Château de Versailles)/Gérard Blot

This is the first exhibition dedicated to Louis XIV’s court painter, Jean Cotelle. A distinguished miniaturist and decorator, Cotelle also practiced almost every genre of painting. The full span of his career is represented here in the shape of some 100 objects, with his cycle of 21 panels depicting the Versailles gardens as the centrepiece. Commissioned by Louis XIV for the gallery of the Grand Trianon, the recently restored works offer an insight into the horticultural tastes of the Sun King – and the Grand Trianon gardeners have even repotted the flower beds for the occasion of the exhibition, to approximate Cotelle’s representations. Moreover, this welcome chance to experience in their original setting this cycle of paintings, with their ambitious mythological conceit, promises a new insight into this neglected artist. Find out more about the ‘Jean Cotelle’ exhibition from the Château de Versaille’s website.

Preview the exhibition below | See Apollo’s Picks of the Week here

Fountain scene with Alpheus pursuing Arethusa, Jean Cotelle

Fountain scene with Alpheus pursuing Arethusa (1689–91), Jean Cotelle. © château de Versailles, Dist. RMN/Jean-Marc Manaï

View of the Orangery and the Swiss Fountain with Vertumne and Pomone (c. 1688), Jean Cotelle. © Château de Versailles, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais/Jean-Marc Manaï