Equestrian Statue of Louis XIV, Marble sculpture at Orangerie, Versailles, France
The Equestrian Statue of Louis XIV is a marble sculpture showing the king mounted on horseback in a dynamic pose, standing roughly 376 centimeters tall. The work is carved entirely from white marble and stands inside the protected Orangerie building at Versailles.
The statue was created in 1677 by sculptors Gian Lorenzo Bernini and François Girardon working together. King Louis XIV initially disliked the design and requested modifications to the composition.
The statue shows Louis XIV portrayed as Marcus Curtius, a Roman hero, which reflected the French monarchy's fascination with classical imagery during the 1600s. This choice emphasized the king's power through mythological comparison.
The sculpture is housed inside the Orangerie building where it is protected from the elements. Visitors should know that casts of the work can also be seen at other locations such as the Louvre and near the Piece d'Eau des Suisses.
An act of vandalism in the 1980s damaged the work, requiring careful restoration efforts. The restoration project took about six years to return the marble sculpture to its original state.
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