Charles Le Brun : Décorateur De Fêtes

This book, devoted to his decorations for festivities and ceremonies, sheds light on a part of the work of Charles Le Brun (1619-1690), Louis XIV's first painter. These extraordinary creations of the Grand Siècle brought together the arts in skilful settings. For a few hours, the buildings or gardens were transformed thanks to the pomp and circumstance designed for the occasion, bringing together paintings, sculptures, tapestries or large structures, such as triumphal arches. Destroyed at the end of the events they accompanied, these works have received little attention until now.

The analysis of contemporary sources and images of the decorations makes it possible to restore these works, but also to place them in their context. The genesis of these works, their design and manufacture are studied, redrawing the links that Le Brun had forged with statesmen (the king, Séguier, Fouquet and Colbert), with men of letters, as well as with his main collaborators, notably at the Manufacture des Gobelins.