Horace Vernet, 1789-1863

Exhibition at the Château de Versailles, 14 November 2023 - 17 March 2024

Born into a family of artists, Horace Vernet was already famous at the age of thirty-three and received commissions from the King's household. That year, however, his works were rejected at the Salon because, at the height of the Restoration, the artist had depicted tricolour cockades in his battle scenes.

As his main patron, the Duc d'Orléans, became King Louis-Philippe, Horace Vernet switched from protest to apology. He now took on commissions for the Historical Galleries at the Château de Versailles. In 1833, during an official trip, he was fascinated to discover Algeria, whose inhabitants he captured with apparent fidelity.

Today, the Château de Versailles houses the largest collection of works by the painter. This catalogue, the first retrospective devoted to Vernet in over forty years, brings together 200 works, including many previously unpublished masterpieces, accompanied by sketches and drawings showing the artist's working method. His compositions, framing, rapid technique and sometimes sketchy touch make him a major Romantic artist.