Horace Vernet: the exhibition unveils by night at the Château de Versailles - photos

A child of the Revolution, Horace Vernet lived through the 19th century with a brush in hand, moving in the various artistic and political circles of his time. Highly appreciated and supported by Napoleon I and the young Duc d'Orléans (future and last King of France), Horace Vernet is best known for his portraits of Napoleon, and his paintings depicting Louis-Philippe's military conquests.

The Château de Versailles honors this important 19th-century painter with a retrospective exhibition from November 14, 2023 to March 17, 2024. Over 200 works have been brought together for the occasion, including some previously unseen masterpieces, drawings and sketches that reveal the artist's creative process.

To discover the exhibition in a different way, the Château de Versailles is offering several evening tours, until 10:30pm, on January 12, February 15 and 17 and March 5, 2024. Guided tours are also available on February 15 and 17. An unusual artistic stroll in a château, under the stars.

Horace Vernet's work was soon noticed by the leading figures of his day. This success won him the favor of the imperial family, and later of the Bourbon heir. These connections led him to travel and illustrate France's military adventures, two genres in which he particularly excelled.

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The exhibition devotes part of its program to the painter's many orientalist canvases. Italy, then Algeria, enabled Horace Vernet to define and refine his own style. This romantic painter, known for his fiery passion, took an interest in the old classical masters, and tried to make a name for himself in history painting. But his Algerian epic led him to discover new passions: Vernet concentrated on military painting, on the representation of these "oriental" peoples with their different cultures and religions.

The Château de Versailles retraces the evolution of Horace Vernet's painting, highlighting his favorite subjects, his highly recognizable style, his passions and his political opinions. A colorful character, Horace Vernet was much appreciated by his contemporaries... But also much criticized. A double-edged fame: we discover Baudelaire's murderous writings, as well as the portraits of Vernet painted by his inspired colleagues. For this exhibition, the château also allows us to admire Vernet's paintings of the African rooms.

This retrospective is spectacular, as much for its wealth of works as for its scenography. Special sets have been created to sublimate, recontextualize and highlight the various paintings. This staging is further enhanced by the palace's sumptuous rooms, which are a delight to rediscover. Finally, Vernet's paintings, which sometimes cover entire walls, are enough to astonish and inspire us.

These large formats allow us to admire the many details that bring the artist's works to life... And to spot certain details that reveal the artist's thoughts and convictions.

A unique and exceptional exhibition, not to be missed on your next visit to the Château de Versailles!