Sunday, 31 March 2013

Second Antechamber of the Dauphine

Like many other rooms at Versailles the Dauphine's Second Antechamber was originally not the size it is now. Formerly this room was divided into four minor cabinets for the Grande Mademoiselle and in 1683 it was transformed into the vestibule leading up to the apartments of Monseigneur, who was the eldest son of the Duc de Bourgogne. But the room was not settled yet. It changed to the ownership of the Duc de Berry who used it as an antechamber and from that on to the Maréchal de Villars in 1724 to whom it served as a part of the main apartment. It was not until 1747 that the room changed to the Second Antechamber of the Dauphine Marie-Josèphe of Saxony.

Following Versailles-tradition the room is richly decorated with paintings and other pieces of art. A large portrait of Marie Leszczinska - wearing her "royal costume" - is one of the paintings chosen for this room alongside with a portrait of a princess (exactly who it is is unknown). Above the door-frames two paintings of flowers by Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer is hanging. The large fireplace is thought to have once been placed in the bedroom of Marie Leszczinska and is made of solid marble. On the chimney-piece stands a pretty bust of the Regent. Lastly a large portrait of Louis XV is adorning the northern wall.






No comments:

Post a Comment