Discover the Oudry, Peintre de courre exhibition at the Château de Fontainebleau

From October 13, 2024 to January 27, 2025, the Château de Fontainebleau presents an exceptional exhibition on Jean-Baptiste Oudry, the famous painter of Louis XV's royal hunts. This retrospective showcases his preparatory cartoons and resulting tapestries, as well as objets d'art illustrating the king's passion for hunting. We take you on a journey of discovery through this exhibition of exceptional, restored works.

This autumn/winter, the Château de Fontainebleau offers us a fascinating immersion into the world of royal hunting with this exhibition dedicated to Jean-Baptiste Oudry, one of the masters of 18th-century animal painting, to be discovered from October 13 to January 27, 2024. Please note that this exhibition is free of charge with a visit to the château, so make the most of it!

This is not an apology for hunting, but a showcase for one of France's most famousanimal painters. It's also an opportunity to learn more about the role of royal hunting, an aristocratic tradition deeply rooted in French monarchical culture.

From 1733 onwards, Louis XV commissioned a series of cartoons from Oudry, life-size works used as models to weave tapestries that would immortalize his finest hunting parties. This exhibition brings together for the first time these cartoons and tapestries from the Gobelins manufactory, allowing visitors to discover a unique aspect of courtly art.

What works are featured in this exhibition?

The exhibition unveils Jean-Baptiste Oudry's monumental cartoons, preparatory to Louis XV's famous Chasses Royales. These carefully restored cartoons are displayed alongside the final tapestries. Hunting-related objects such as porcelain, drawings and tapestries complete this plunge into the world of hunting.

What makes this exhibition unique?

This exhibition is the first opportunity to see Oudry's cartoons and the corresponding tapestries together. Four of the cartoons have recently been restored, revealing the original palette and finesse of Oudry's work. In addition, theappartement des Chasses, decorated with these works, is exceptionally open to the public during the exhibition.

Jean-Baptiste Oudry, trained in Nicolas de Largillière's studio, distinguished himself by his talent for capturing animal life. Louis XV, a fervent hunter, hired him as his court painter to depict the hunting scenes that punctuated his stays in Compiègne, Saint-Germain-en-Laye and especially Fontainebleau. The preparatory cartoons on display at the château are life-size models created between 1733 and 1746 for the Royal Hunts hanging at the Gobelins manufactory.

How did Jean-Baptiste Oudry immortalize the royal hunt?

Thanks to his precise brushstrokes, Oudry renders every detail of the royal hunts with meticulous attention to detail. Dogs racing, horses in their finest attire and stag hunters are depicted with striking realism. The colorful outfits of the veneurs and courtiers present at the hunts complete these vivid scenes.

Royal hunts were not simply entertainment events, but a key element in the political and social life of the court. This exhibition also illustrates how Oudry influenced the decorative arts of the time, giving rise to a veritable fashion for his works, from porcelain togoldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares.

What restored treasures can be discovered on this occasion?

Thanks to a patron-supported restoration campaign, four of Oudry's nine original cartoons have been restored. These works, which usually adorn the château'sAppartement des Chasses, are now revealing the full finesse of their palette after three years of painstaking restoration. A new donation campaign, launched during the exhibition, will enable the last four cartoons to be restored.

Why is the Château de Fontainebleau linked to royal hunting?

The Château de Fontainebleau, built in the heart of a forest ideal for hunting, has long been the preferred hunting residence of the kings of France. As early as the 12th century, sovereigns took up hunting. Louis XV, a true enthusiast, hunted here three times a week and had his exploits illustrated by Oudry. The château boasts the world's largest collection of Oudry's works, a precious heritage that is now being showcased. The exhibition allows us not only to discover Oudry's works, but also to walk in the footsteps of the kings, visiting the courtyards, gardens and even theappartement des Chasses.

Extend the exhibition with a tour of the château's collections

In addition to the exhibition, Oudry's works can be explored as part of the tour of the château. Four of the unrestored cartoons are still visible in theAppartement des Chasses, which is open to visitors for the first time. Here, we can see the works before restoration, which testifies to the goldsmith's work carried out to enable us to admire the talent of the master of white and color. We recommend that you start by visiting the hunting apartment before going to the exhibition, so that you can admire the difference between before and after.

Jean-Baptiste Oudry is not only famous for his depictions of royal hunts, but also for his illustrations of La Fontaine's Fables. The engravings, famous for their precision and expressiveness, have left their mark on art history and remain a benchmark for all lovers of literature andillustration.

The exhibition is also accompanied by a richly illustrated catalog and a symposium on animal painting, to be held in December 2024. Whether you're a fan of18th-century art, curious about the behind-the-scenes aspects of royal life, or simply a history buff, this exhibition is for everyone. A booklet-game is available for families, providing a fun way to discover this key cultural event. Lovers of animal paintings and those fascinated by tapestry techniques will find it a visual and historical delight.

This exhibition is ideal for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in French history, admire restored works of art or simply enjoy a cultural day out in a place steeped in history. And don't forget that the château, and this exhibition, are free for under-26s.