La Renommée du Roi, by Domenico Guidi, sculpture by Domenico Guidi
La Renommee du Roi by Domenico Guidi is a marble statue in the gardens of Versailles depicting a winged female figure holding a medallion with the king's profile. Standing about 9 feet (2.8 meters) tall, the work showcases fine carved details including delicate facial features and expressive hands in marble that conveys both elegance and strength.
The statue was created in 1677 by Italian sculptor Domenico Guidi following a design by Charles Le Brun, a leading artist under Louis XIV. Originally installed in the orangery terrace, the work was moved multiple times throughout the gardens before being relocated to its current position at the Neptune Basin.
The figure represents fame itself, symbolizing how the king's reputation spreads and is preserved. She holds a medallion showing the king's profile while writing in a book, suggesting that a ruler's glory is recorded and remembered by history for future generations.
The sculpture is currently housed in Versailles storage facilities and is not permanently on public display due to conservation concerns. Visitors can view it during special exhibitions or through photographs and museum catalogues, or inquire at the visitor center for information about temporary displays.
The work features a complex symbolic composition with a figure of Envy lying beneath Fame, biting a heart and holding snakes to represent jealousy and rivalry. Surrounding medallions depict Alexander the Great, Scipio, Caesar, and Trajan, comparing the king's glory with the achievements of these ancient rulers.
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