Versailles Gardens: Sculpture and Mythology

Pierre Lemoine, chief curator at Versailles, and Guy Kuraszewski, art historian, provide notes to the text in this magnificent volume; Girard is the official publisher and photographer of the palace and acreage. He presents 264 color pictures of the gardens designed by the great landscape architect Le Notre for Louis XIV in the 17th century. Scholarly yet accessible writing describes the creations honoring the Sun King's mythological and historical heroes and heroines. In marble, bronze and other materials, the statues seem alive, expressing eternal emotions. Apollo exults in the speed of his golden, horse-driven chariot; innocent cherubs cavort in the fountains; Dionysus and his satyrs revel. Starkly contrasting sculptures immortalize grieving captives of war and fallen soldiers. During the four seasons, the sculpture enhances and is enhanced by the flowering plants in the gardens. The figures are wonderful to gaze upon, in sun, in shadow, even graced by snow and rain. Girard's camera artistry makes the book a treasure to explore again and again. November