Chateau de Versailles is one of the most popular tourist attractions in France. The glamorous and sophisticated garden and palace filled with beautiful artworks and furniture allure visitors from all over the world.

A rare opportunity has come to see some of Versailles’ precious treasures right here in Seoul: the “Special Exhibition of Chateau de Versailles” is currently underway at Hangaram Art Museum in Seoul Arts Center, Seocho-dong.

The exhibition features 84 works of art and relics that span 200 years of the palace’s history from the 17th century to the late 18th century, including portraits of the royal family and Marie-Antoinette’s golden tableware. The portraits of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI, which are on display as well, are France’s national treasures.

“Chateau de Versailles, the symbol of the French monarchy, was the center of France’s politics, society and culture for more that 200 years. I hope the Korean public will have a chance to understand an important page in French art history and also in the world’s art history, through this exhibition,” said Jean-Jacques Aillagon, President of Chteau de Versailles.

The exhibition is largely divided into three sections that are color-coded so that visitors can easily recognize which period the exhibits come from. Starting at the entrance, Louis XIV’s room is painted red, Louis XV’s blue and Louis XVI’s green.

Take some time and study each exhibit carefully because every single detail has a special meaning or purpose.

The portrait of Louis XIV by Atelier de Hyacinthe Rigaud, for example, contains numerous symbols. He is wearing a heavy marten robe known to have weighed about 80kg with lily patterns, an emblem of purity.

It means that the king mediates between God and the people. The robe was worn only by the king and the queen at official ceremonies.

A crown, which signifies the power of the king, and a hand of justice of which each of the three fingers symbolize king, reason and mercy are painted next to him as well.

Louis-Marie-Anne de Bourbon, daughter of Louis XIV, is not blowing bubbles simply to appear cute in her portrait either. As the girl died at the young age of 6, Pierre Mignard, the artist, inserted bubbles in the painting to express a sense of futility.

A large part of the exhibition is dedicated to Marie-Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI. Many of her portraits demonstrate how she changed from being a shy Austrian princess to a bold and confident French queen who became notorious for her extravagance.

A painting of Marie-Antoinette dressed up in a court dress adorned with real lilies and another painting of her riding a horse wearing men’s riding habits display two distinctive characters of hers.

Though it looks a little shoddy, entering the miniature version of the palace’s famous mirror room, which is part of the show, would be an interesting experience for those who have yet to visit the actual palace.

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldm.com)