Gardens of the Enlightenment: 1750-1800
- Palace of Versailles, Versailles
5 May - 27 Sep 2026
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Recommended
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The exhibition François Morellet at Versailles marks a spectacular confrontation between the radical, geometric abstraction of one of France’s most influential contemporary artists and the baroque splendor of the Palace of Versailles. Curated by Laurent Salomé, this showcase is a cornerstone of the national 100 x Morellet celebration, commemorating the centenary of the artist's birth. By placing six major works within the State Apartments and the meticulously ordered gardens, the exhibition seeks to create a "conversation" between Morellet’s minimalist protocols and the historic weight of the Sun King’s residence, highlighting a shared obsession with mathematical order and theatrical perspective.
Inside the Château, the curatorial narrative begins with a profound dialogue between modern materials and royal architecture. In the vestibule of the Royal Chapel, the installation Le Lamentable features white neon tubes arranged in drooping arcs that seem to collapse onto the stone floor, contrasting the rigid verticality of the surrounding columns. This is paired with the striking Beaming π, a black sculpture whose segments are meticulously angled according to the decimals of the mathematical constant π. This juxtaposition of geometric rigor and the jubilation of chance serves to destabilize the viewer’s perception of the familiar marble interiors, inviting a more playful, intellectual engagement with the space.
The emotional resonance of the exhibition extends into the iconic gardens designed by André Le Nôtre. Here, Morellet’s work engages with the legendary perspectives and water features of the estate. A double installation overlooking the Latona Parterre plays with the visual hiatus between the perfect horizontal lines of the artwork and the actual declivities of the terrain. This intervention transforms the landscape into a living laboratory of perception and movement, where the viewer’s physical position dictates the shifting alignment of the forms. It is a masterful exercise in site-specific intervention, honoring the historical legacy of the site while asserting the timeless relevance of Morellet’s "facetious" abstraction.
Ultimately, this tribute encapsulates the dual nature of François Morellet as a painter of both rule and disorder. By integrating industrial materials like neon tubes and steel into a setting of gold leaf and manicured hedges, the exhibition highlights the historical significance of a career that spanned over six decades. The dialogue created here is not one of subservience to the past, but a vibrant, humorous, and intellectually stimulating exchange that reassesses the boundaries between art, architecture, and the public, ensuring Morellet’s legacy remains a vital force in the contemporary landscape.
Highlights
- The installation Le Lamentable features arc-shaped neon lights that appear to slump across the paving of the Royal Chapel's lower vestibule.
- The black sculpture Beaming π unfurls its segments across the nave's marble marquetry at angles determined by the decimals of the number pi.
- A suspended Sphère-trame provides a striking geometric contrast to the profusion of Baroque decoration in the Salon of Abundance.
- The monumental work Super Position reinstates François Morellet’s radical minimalist protocols within the historic King's State Apartments.
- A double installation overlooking the Latona Parterre creates a visual conversation between the artist’s horizontality and the garden's natural slopes.
- Six major works are strategically placed to disrupt classical perspectives and celebrate the centenary of François Morellet's birth.
Frequently Asked Questions about François Morellet: At the Château de Versailles
Yes, access to the contemporary installations by François Morellet is included with any standard Passport or Palace ticket during the exhibition period.
The six striking works are distributed between the historic Grands Appartements and the Royal Gardens, creating a dialogue with the Baroque architecture.
Since the works are integrated into the main tour route, you should allow approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to view the interior installations and additional time for those in the gardens.
Photography for personal and non-commercial use is permitted throughout the Palace, provided that you do not use flash, tripods, or selfie sticks.
Yes, the main areas of the Palace of Versailles hosting the installations are fully accessible to visitors with disabilities via elevators and ramps.
Access to the gardens is generally free except on days of the 'Musical Fountains Shows' or 'Musical Gardens', during which a specific ticket is required.
Other Exhibition at Palace of Versailles
Don't miss this other major exhibition currently showing at Palace of Versailles during your visit to Versailles in 2026.