LE VAU, Louis
(b. 1612, Paris, d. 1670, Paris)

Interior view

1656-61
Photo
Château Vaux-le-Vicomte, Maincy (Seine-et-Marne)

After crossing the vestibule, we reach the Grand Salon, placed under the dome. It is oval: an innovation for the time, which preferred the galleries. The idea is directly inspired by Italian Baroque. The salon is relatively staid in its ornament, white stucco composite pilasters below and stucco caryatides above; but the ceiling was to have had frescoes by Le Brun which would have added greater richness. (Le Brun had planned a vault with the theme of "Palace of the Sun" which was not realized.)

The photo shows the Grand Salon.




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