Charles Le Brun | Grand escalier du chateau de Versailles. Paris, [1725], from the library of the Duchesse de Berry - photo 1
Charles Le Brun | Grand escalier du chateau de Versailles. Paris, [1725], from the library of the Duchesse de Berry - photo 2
Charles Le Brun | Grand escalier du chateau de Versailles. Paris, [1725], from the library of the Duchesse de Berry - photo 3

Charles Le Brun | Grand escalier du chateau de Versailles. Paris, [1725], from the library of the Duchesse de Berry

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£ 3 048
Auction dateClassic
28.11.2023 14:00UTC +01:00
Auctioneer
Sotheby´s
Event location
United Kingdom, London
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ID 1076575
Lot 52 | Charles Le Brun | Grand escalier du chateau de Versailles. Paris, [1725], from the library of the Duchesse de Berry
Charles Le Brun

Grand escalier du chateau de Versailles dit escalier des ambassadeurs. ordoné et peint par Charles Le Brun ecuyer premier peintre du Roy, consacré à la memoire de Louis le Grand. Paris: Chez Louis Surugue, [1725]

FIRST EDITION, folio (528 x 391mm.), title and five leaves of text by L.C. le Fevre entirely engraved, with large vignette by Surugue after Parocel and another smaller vignette by Surugue after Coypel, 24 FINE ENGRAVED PLATES (6 OF THEM DOUBLE-PAGE) by Surugue and Simmoneau after Chevotet, FINE CONTEMPORARY BURGUNDY MOROCCO GILT BY VENTE with his ticket, covers with wide gilt border and large fleur-de-lys cornerpieces, center of each cover WITH THE (later) GILT SUPRALIBROS OF THE DUCHESSE DE BERRY, raised bands, spine gilt in compartments with large floral centrepiece, marbled endpapers, gilt edges

A FINE COPY WITH DISTINGUISHED PROVENANCE, of an entirely engraved pictorial record of the Grand Staircase at the Palace of Versailles. Also known as the Ambassadors’ Staircase, the Grand escalier was primarily built to impress visiting foreign dignitaries by suggesting, in its dazzling mélange of coloured marbles, gilt bronzes, heroic paintings, and exceptional glass skylight, the wealth and power of the Sun King.

The plates show sweeping views of the interior, reproductions of individual paintings and sculptures, and a magnificent image of the skylight and ceiling as seen from below. The space was devised by Baroque architect Louis Le Vau, and executed posthumously in 1672‑1679 by François d’Orbay and the great French artist Charles Le Brun (1619-90). Because of structural concerns, the staircase was demolished in 1752, making this work “the only complete record of this brilliant design.” (Millard)

The superb binding on this copy is the work of Pierre Vente (b. 1722), who is described at considerable length by Thoinan as one of the most eminent binders of the period and who is represented by three bindings in the Schiff catalogue. The provenance here is notable as well, with the binding bearing the later gilt arms of the Duchesse de Berry. Marie-Caroline de Bourbon-Sicile, Duchesse de Berry (1798-1870), was the mother of Henri, Comte de Chambord, the last legitimate male descendent of Louis XV and the disputed king of France for a brief period following the death of Charles X. She was an important figure in the Bourbon Restoration, and was known as a devoted patron of the arts throughout her life. According to Guigard: “the duchesse of Berry founded a splendid library, composed of works remarkable for the beauty of the editions and the luxury of the bindings, and in which most volumes carry her stamp”. The present work appears as lot 470 at the auction of the Bibliothèque de Rosny (the former estate of the Duchesse) in 1837.
Address of auction Sotheby´s
34-35 New Bond Street
W1A 2AA London
United Kingdom
Preview
28.11.2023
Phone +44 (0) 20 7293 5000
Phone +1 212 606 7000
Email
4FQ.AE2YUKFA@AYGLGHC3Y@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

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