The Hall of Mirrors, Versailles
As a Sun King and absolute monarch, Louis XIV was used to demanding and getting the very best in 17th-century France. With Versailles, he got that and more. The massive structure, with its mirrored halls and magnificent gardens, was built in 1662. It reflected the collaborative effort of some of the world’s premier architects, landscape designers, and artists. As the monarch’s seat of government, at one time, it was home to nearly 8,000 people involved in the affairs of state and society. As befitted the luxurious tastes of its owner, the palace became the hotbed for fashion, food, design, music, and, of course, some delicious court intrigue. Versailles was the principal residence of future kings of France up to the French Revolution. Today, it is one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions.
Art historian Stefanie Walker unravels the centuries-long tangled history of Versailles, and provides a guide to the main features of the palace and gardens, which have inspired imitations the world over.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit
