Chambre de Louis XIV Appartement du roi

marble court facade king s bedchamber opening onto balcony supported 8 red marble columns

the chambre de louis xiv (or king s bedchamber) constructed in 1701 on site of former salon du roi (or state drawing room), dated time of louis xiii. room underwent number of modifications during reign of louis xiv, notably in 1678 when 3 western windows facing terrace became archways opening hall of mirrors (constructed beginning year), room became kind of appendage. 3-storey avant-corps added exterior of eastern facade facing marble court, 3 bays opening onto gilt wrought-iron balcony overlooking courtyard, , top part of room corresponding attic storey of avant-corps.

when in 1684 louis xiv moved adjacent room south (the chambre du roi), central room behind facade of avant-corps designated salon du roi or salon où le roi s’habille ( room in king dresses ). 17 years, served venue ceremonies surrounded life of king, such lever , coucher. when chambre de louis xiv established in 1701, archways hall of mirrors sealed off, , room became ideological physical focal point of palace. king died in room on 1 september 1715. later, louis xv , louis xvi continue use lever , coucher. on 6 october 1789, louis xvi, marie antoinette, , dauphin appeared on balcony before mob forced royal family move versailles tuileries palace in paris.

paintings in chambre de louis xiv

as measure of economy, louis xiv retained of decor of salon du roi in decoration of chambre de louis xiv. over-door paintings included portrait of francisco de moncada , self-portrait 2 anthony van dyck, saint john baptist caravaggio, , mary magdalene guido reni. domenichino’s saint cecilia placed in cornice setting of south wall above fireplace , artist’s king david playing harp hung pendant opposite on north wall.

the western wall of room became wall of alcove – area of room separated balustrade in bed located. decoration of alcove, ornaments of agrafe , volutes trelliswork sculpture, anticipate in many respects anticipates style régence in vogue between 1715-1723. crowning bed nicolas coustou’s relief sculpture, france triumphant, complemented 2 relief sculptures of fame françois lespingola located in pendentives of arch.

the present brocade on walls of alcove , bed has been rewoven part of initiative of fifth republic restore versailles. original alcove , bed hangings restored in 1736; and, in 1785, louis xvi ordered brocade burned obtained on 60 kilograms of gold. present hanging, while accurate period, not reproduction of brocaded hung in chambre de louis xiv. owing lack of archival information when project undertaken, decided use pattern hangings of tenture d’hiver queen’s bedroom. after project underway original designs found; part of project had been completed, decided use queen’s tenture d’hiver.