Exhibition offers the UK first on Versailles and Louis XIV, April 1-June 25
A must for gardeners and book lovers, The Power of Image: Versailles and The Sun King is on display at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Durham, from April 1-June 25.
Seven of Ushaw Historic House’s ‘Cabinet du Roi’ (King’s Cabinet) collection of volumes, alongside 77 enlargements of engravings captured in their pages (1669 onwards) form the highlight of the exhibition. In a UK-first, visitors will be able to see some of the rarest books in Europe and celebrate the grandeur of the gardens of Versailles. Never seen in public before, the first edition volumes include engravings of statues, herms, urns and large vases enjoyed by the Sun King, Louis XIV.
Alongside the hand-bound books, displayed in glass cases, scores of engravings re-create the grandeur of parts of the Palace of Versailles that no longer exist.
Statuary and landscapes
Visitors to Ushaw Historic House, just 4 miles from Durham City, enter along a winding pathway adorned with 28 display boards. These will feature 50 of the books’ 700+ engravings, celebrating the garden statuary and landscapes.
Two sections of the exhibition concentrate on the gardens and outdoor fountains. Highlights include a representation of The Ambassadors’ Staircase, a reconstruction of the illusionistic ceiling, demolished in 1752.
Andrew Heard is a visitor programmes manager and exhibition curator. He said: “The Sun King, Louis XIV, loved opulent design and flowers, plants, water and fountains. These preoccupations came together in the gardens at Versailles. This exhibition will provide a window into the life and taste of Louis. The scale allows visitors to discern and appreciate many of the intricacies detailed in these beautiful plates.
“The Cabinet du Roi volumes, 15 of which reside at Ushaw Historic House, reflected the glory of the King’s reign. The illustrations include the plans and elevations of French royal houses, together with their decorative paintings and sculptures.”
Gardens of Versailles – Extensive public collection
It is not known how many series of the Cabinet du Roi survive. However, the Ushaw set is thought to be the most extensive public collection in the UK. It was probably part of an 8,000-strong donation of books made by Thomas Wilkinson of Kendal. He was a significant benefactor to the Ushaw library during its time as part of a Catholic seminary.
Andrew added: “Louis XIV was Europe’s longest-serving monarch. He led a fascinating life, during which he established Versailles as his centre of power. Visitors will be able to follow the ways in which Louis developed the château and its gardens.”
One highlight includes representations of the painted ceiling of the Petit Gallery, from 1752. Another is The Grotto, a decorative feature in the gardens demolished in 1684, 14 years after its construction.
Ushaw is also hosting activities inspired by Versailles and the exhibition, including print-making workshops. The exhibition will be open daily from 11am until 4pm in the venue’s William Allen Gallery. Exhibition access is included in the price of admission. For more information, visit ushaw.org.
