« L’autheur de ce magnifique ouvrage » : Charles Le Brun et la réception de l’escalier des Ambassadeurs

Abstract

This essay discusses the participation of Charles Le Brun in the decoration of the Ambassadors’ Staircase in Versailles. A close reading of the accounts of the Bâtiments du Roi shows that Le Brun, the First Painter to the King, was asked to elaborate the decoration of the staircase later than supposed. Furthermore, painted staircases did not exist in European royal palaces. Although the architecture was most likely created without his involvement, a few sources, especially certain articles published in the Mercure galant during the 1680s, name Le Brun as the author of the entire staircase, including the architecture. While he may have been asked to elaborate the decoration because of the narrowness of the space and the choice to represent the king’s history, Le Brun seized the opportunity to prove his ability to unite the arts of architecture, sculpture and painting. The fact that the access to the staircase was restricted outside the ceremonies probably contributed to strengthening the artist’s desire to control the reception of this work.

Keywords

• Ambassador’s Staircase
• decoration
• reception
• Charles Le Brun
• Louis XIV