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View of the Château de Versailles, Late 17th Century

This rare counterproof copperplate engraving illustrates the entrance façade of the Château de Versailles as it appeared in the late 17th century, offering a detailed perspective of the Royal Courtyard (Cour Royale) and the grand entrance to the château. This scene meticulously captures the architectural vision of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, showcasing the enhancements completed in 1678 as part of King Louis XIV’s ambitious expansion of Versailles. The engraving was based on preliminary drawings by Israel Silvestre, commissioned for the Cabinet du Roi, and was ultimately published in the fifth volume of Plans, élévations et vues du château de Versailles. 

The engraving emphasizes the grand façade of the central building, with its symmetrical layout and intricate classical detailing, characteristic of Hardouin-Mansart's design. Dominating the central pediment is a prominent clock, framed by sculptures of Mars and Hercules by Gaspard Marsy and François Girardon, a testament to the grandeur of Louis XIV’s court. Above the pediment, a balustrade adorned with statues adds to the palace's stately elegance. The engraving showcases the refined classical architecture, marked by its balanced proportions and elaborate ornamentation, reflecting the opulence and formality of the Sun King’s residence. 

The foreground is bustling with activity, featuring figures on horseback, carriages, and pedestrians, vividly illustrating courtly life at Versailles. These details, which were more fully realized in the engraving compared to the initial graphite sketches by Silvestre, animate the scene and provide a glimpse into the daily bustle of one of the most important royal courts in Europe. The presence of these figures emphasizes the role of Versailles not only as a royal residence but also as a vibrant center of political and social life in 17th-century France. 

Presented as a counterproof, this engraving holds particular significance in understanding its production. A counterproof is created by taking a fresh impression from an original print while the ink is still wet, resulting in a reversed image that mirrors the original copperplate's design. This process allowed artists and collectors to view the composition as intended by the engraver, providing a faithful representation of the architectural vision. The counterproof, therefore, not only serves as a valuable artistic piece but also as a tool for appreciating the intricate details and symmetry of Versailles as conceived by Hardouin-Mansart and Silvestre.

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