Baroque...The Style of Kings

I visited the PALACE OF VERSAILLES in the spring time several years ago.
It is like no other place on earth.

The Palace of Versailles was the official residence of the Kings of France from 1682 until 1790. It was originally a hunting lodge, built in 1624, by Louis XIII. It was expanded by Louis XIV beginning in 1669. He used it as a little lodge as a secret refuge for his amorous trysts with the lovely Louise de la Valliere and built a fairy tale park around it. Jules Hardouin Mansart, the king's principal architect, drew the plans to enlarge what was turning more and more into a palace from A Thousand and One Nights. The terrace that overlooked the gardens was removed to make way for the magnificent Hall of Mirrors, the Galarie de Glaces. It is here from which the king radiated his power and where the destiny of Europe was decided over a century. The French classical architecture was complemented by extensive gardens. The Baroque era was born
Taking root in Rome and then spreading throughout Europe between 1600 and 1750, the Baroque style aimed to inspire and rouse the emotions through dramatic and flamboyant design. Expressing the ornate and theatrical character of the style, interiors were laden with rich velvet and damask textiles and gilt-wood and marquetry furniture. The furnishings were marked by a profusion of plant life such as scrolling foliage and floral garlands and ‘Putti’ (chubby infant boys). The decorative use of monograms, usually people’s initials, and heraldic crests were also incorporated into designs as symbols of ownership and status.

French Baroque is distinguished by the use of marquetry and gold covered bronze ormolu, creating the most elegant of styles. To create movement, French craftsman used a combination of woods in one furniture piece, often using Marble as accents.

Sinful indulgences……..

   

Here are samples of Baroque in the 2000's, just as lavish but with a twist.