In December 2022, the Palace of Versailles is starting restoration work on the masterpiece of Versailles gardens that is Apollo’s Fountain, thanks to the patronage of CMA CGM Group. This fountain is emblematic of Louis XIV’s Versailles, and depicts the sun god driving his four-horse chariot full pelt, symbolising the ascent of the rising sun. It will re-emerge in all its former glory following an eighteen-month undertaking that will draw on an array of expertise. Apollo's Fountain is undoubtedly one of the most famous fountains in Versailles Palace gardens. Designed by Jean-Baptiste Tuby between 1668 and 1670 at the height of the reign of Louis XIV and crafted at the Gobelins Manufactory, the fountain is adorned with the set of sculptures making up Apollo’s Chariot. This monumental lead sculpture weighs some 30 tonnes and comprises 13 statues. The last major restoration campaign on the fountain, which saw the set of sculptures disassembled and restored in the workshop, took place just over a hundred years ago between 1923 and 1927. Despite regular maintenance, this set of sculptures, on which the water feature aspect takes its toll, is now in serious disarray. Structural warping linked to corrosion of the internal plumbing, significant deterioration of the lead and severe erosion of the surface coating can be seen. Its condition warrants urgent remedial work. This new campaign will begin in December 2022 with the complete disassembly of the set of sculptures for transfer to the workshop, where the 13 lead sculptures will be fully restored and re-gilded. At the same time, the stone base of the set of sculptures will be consolidated in situ, as will the waterworks, the restoration of which will be carried out by the Palace fountain technicians. This work will conclude with the re-installation of the restored set of sculptures and the crafting of new nozzles by the fountain technicians to restore the original water jet patterns. The illumination of the pool and statuary will also be completely redesigned. This work will call for the input of an array of expertise: decorative foundry work, metalwork, gilding, fountain work and even stonework and stonecutting.
In December 2022, the Palace of Versailles is starting restoration work on the masterpiece of Versailles gardens that is Apollo’s Fountain, thanks to the patronage of CMA CGM Group. This fountain is emblematic of Louis XIV’s Versailles, and depicts the sun god driving his four-horse chariot full pelt, symbolising the ascent of the rising sun. It will re-emerge in all its former glory following an eighteen-month undertaking that will draw on an array of expertise. Apollo's Fountain is undoubtedly one of the most famous fountains in Versailles Palace gardens. Designed by Jean-Baptiste Tuby between 1668 and 1670 at the height of the reign of Louis XIV and crafted at the Gobelins Manufactory, the fountain is adorned with the set of sculptures making up Apollo’s Chariot. This monumental lead sculpture weighs some 30 tonnes and comprises 13 statues. The last major restoration campaign on the fountain, which saw the set of sculptures disassembled and restored in the workshop, took place just over a hundred years ago between 1923 and 1927. Despite regular maintenance, this set of sculptures, on which the water feature aspect takes its toll, is now in serious disarray. Structural warping linked to corrosion of the internal plumbing, significant deterioration of the lead and severe erosion of the surface coating can be seen. Its condition warrants urgent remedial work. This new campaign will begin in December 2022 with the complete disassembly of the set of sculptures for transfer to the workshop, where the 13 lead sculptures will be fully restored and re-gilded. At the same time, the stone base of the set of sculptures will be consolidated in situ, as will the waterworks, the restoration of which will be carried out by the Palace fountain technicians. This work will conclude with the re-installation of the restored set of sculptures and the crafting of new nozzles by the fountain technicians to restore the original water jet patterns. The illumination of the pool and statuary will also be completely redesigned. This work will call for the input of an array of expertise: decorative foundry work, metalwork, gilding, fountain work and even stonework and stonecutting.
