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The busts in the Marble Courtyard, some ancient and some more recent, represent Roman figures and emperors. This extraordinary sculpted décor, exposed to the elements for over two centuries, is now threatened by the ravages of time and is in urgent need of a restoration. Sixty busts that were particularly badly damaged or fragile have already been removed from the façades. They will be restored in our workshops and some will then be kept under cover.

en.chateauversailles.fr/support-versailles How can I adopt a bust?

Choose your bust on en.chateauversailles.fr/news/ patronage-news/adopt-bust #versailles,-the-new- and contact the Patronage Department.

How much does it cost to adopt a bust?

Versailles, the new Rome Adopting a bust costs €5,000, which will pay its restoration. When Louis XIV brought his court For French taxpayers, the cost, and government to Versailles in 1682, he ordered after tax deduction, is €1,700 the most prestigious antique pieces, displaying for private individuals or €2,000 for companies (tax reduction a vision of a new Rome recreated for his own glory. of 66% and 60%, respectively, The Palace’s Marble Courtyard, its façades on the amount of the donation). decorated with almost a hundred busts resting If you are an American taxpayer, you can benefit a tax deduction on pedestals, is the first vision of antiquity if you contract with a French- that the visitor sees. American Foundation governed by the Article 501© of the US Internal Revenue Code.

What will you receive in acknowledgement of your donation?

For individuals For companies Adoption certificate Adoption certificate Site visits You will receive a certificate You will receive a certificate You are invited to follow the stages written in calligraphy, featuring written in calligraphy, featuring of the restoration of the bust your name or that of the person the name of your company. on visits to the workshops. on whose behalf the adoption Passes is being made. You can benefit from free passes Site visit for the Estate of Versailles, during You are invited to follow opening hours. all the stages of the restoration Photo rights of the bust on a visit You will be able to use copyright- to the workshop. A “1 year in Versailles” card free photographs of the bust The “1 Year in Versailles” card, A “1 year in Versailles” card in its setting to promote offering you free and unlimited You will receive a “1 year the patronage operation and access to the Estate during in Versailles” subscription card, for your corporate communica- one year, can be granted in your providing unlimited access tions materials (annual reports, counterparts. to the Palace for a year, for you greetings cards, etc.). or a person of your choosing. For any advice: Photo rights Sixtine Verpiot / Marion Hugues You will be able to use copyright- free photographs belonging Telephone: to the Établissement Public + 33 (0) 1 30 83 84 49 / 71 93 t de Versailles showing the bust Email: s [email protected] u in its setting to create your b [email protected] ur greetings cards. choose yo

en.chateauversailles.fr/support-versailles a Become a p tron

1 bust of 2 bust of 3 bust of 4 bust of a roman a roman a roman a emperor lady lady

5 bust of 6 bust of 7 bust of 8 bust of a young a roman a roman septimius man emperor lady severus

9 bust of 10 bust of 11 bust of vitellius a roman julia domna

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en.chateauversailles.fr/support-versailles Location after restoration

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1 bust of a roman emperor 4 bust of a roman lady 7 bust of a roman lady 10 bust of a roman Royal courtyard, north side, Museum storeroom Museum storeroom Royal courtyard, north side, 1st floor, 3rd bust from the left 1st floor, 10th bust from the left 5 bust of a young man 8 bust of  Milet. C. Fouin, photos: C.

 / 2 bust of a roman emperor Royal courtyard, north side, groundfloor, Museum storeroom 11 bust of julia domna Museum storeroom 1st bust from the left Royal courtyard, north side, groundfloor, 3rd bust from the left 9 bust of vitellius 3 bust of a roman lady 6 bust of a roman emperor Royal courtyard, south side, Museum storeroom Royal courtyard, north side, groundfloor, 6th bust from the right 1st floor, 6th bust from the left Photo credits: © Château de Versailles, dist. RMN dist. © Château de Versailles, credits: Photo

en.chateauversailles.fr/support-versailles en.chateauversailles.fr/support-versailles Busts leaflet

1 bust of a roman emperor 4 bust of a roman lady The sophisticated clothing of decorated strap. The bust is The representation of this female This bust, which has sustained this bust is made up of a remarkable of a bearded, thick-haired man, bust with tiara is similar to that substantial damage from having combination of materials. in keeping with known effigies of an empress. With her raised been exposed to the elements The cuirass comprises of the emperor . chin and strong features, she wears for far too long, and which is individual plates bearing a mask an expression of defiance, just like not mentioned in the inventory from which a Gorgon’s head Once restored, this bust will a woman of power. drawn up by Massou in 1722, stands out, while a cloak, held be installed on the first floor The skill of the drapery, will be placed in storage. in place by a brooch decorated of the North face of the Royal unadorned and simple, is evident with an eagle, falls over the left Courtyard (3rd bust from in the way it is tied in the centre shoulder. The right shoulder, the left). of her chest, thus creating folds meanwhile, is uncloaked and that enliven the composition and instead covered with an ornately lend real significance to the subject.

2 bust of a roman emperor 5 bust of a young man It is not clear which classical The single drape of the cloak Recalling the iconography of It is possible that this bust portrait(s) inspired the unknown reveals just a corner of the cuirass bacchanalian satyrs and acolytes, is the “bust without shoulder of sculptor who created this bust, near the neck and the barely visible this young man is crowned with a classical young man [with] short most likely made of Saint-Béat mantling on his right shoulder. vine branches – an unusual hair [and] clothed body, facing marble. adornment in portrayals of young left”. But clues to this man’s age Once restored, this work, which aristocrats. begin to emerge in the form does not correspond to any His eyes, which are open and Once restored, this bust will be of the nasolabial folds defining of those described by Massou in set close together, seem to reflect a installed at courtyard level on the the bottom edge of his cheek, the 1722 inventory, will be placed degree of anxiety or unaccustomed North face of the Royal Courtyard the delicate mouth in the form in storage. melancholy, which could however (1st bust from the left). of a simple line on his face and be the result of the significant res- the hair falling over his forehead. toration he underwent in the 1980s.

3 bust of a roman lady 6 bust of a roman emperor Her wavy hair, topped and Once restored, this female bust With its hairstyle of tight and The even features of the face held in place by a tiara, frames of Carrara marble, which is almost parallel locks, this Roman are both strong and supple. the elegant face of this young not described in Massou’s 1722 bust is typical of the style used The gaze is turned slightly to woman, whose identity inventory, will be kept in storage. to depict Julio-Claudian the right, which lends the subject has not yet been established. emperors. The hair is brushed an imperious air. Is she a goddess or an aristocrat? forward around the temples, The finely traced brow bone, almost forming a sort of helmet Once restored, this bust will be slim nose and delicate mouth give surrounding the oval of the face. installed on the first floor of the her a pure yet impenetrable air. This well-executed sculpture North face of the Royal Courtyard Dressed in a light tunic, her wears a cuirass concealed beneath (6th bust from the left). chest is emphasised by the highly a cloak and held in place on elaborate folds of the drapery. the right shoulder by a brooch.

en.chateauversailles.fr/support-versailles Busts leaflet

7 bust of a roman lady 10 bust of a roman This unidentified aristocratic This portrayal is in keeping The head of this bust is in the Once restored, this bust will lady is wearing a tiara that holds with the known effigies of classical style. The head and neck, be installed on the first floor up her wavy, elaborately sculpted the Empress Sabina of the Aelian turned slightly to the left, are set of the North face of the Royal locks. Her face is turned slightly dynasty, of which there are some in elaborate drapery, in which the Courtyard (10th bust from to the right and bears a sweet, examples in the Louvre. folds endlessly turn and overlap. the left). almost melancholic expression, The combination of aquiline thus revealing the desire Once restored, this bust will be nose, finely traced eyebrows to individualise this portrayal. on display in a storage area open and firm, closed mouth give The body is clothed in a tunic, to the public. the subject a haughty expression. the magnificent folds of which The messy hair rather adds to this emphasise the chest and lend impression, lending a casual air this bust a wholly baroque air. that is unusual in bust sculptures.

8 bust of septimius severus 11 bust of julia domna This bust can be compared As also revealed post- The contiguous eyebrows that Following the assassination to numerous sculptural portrayals restoration in the busts of make the face unique and give of by his brother, she ruled of the Emperor Septimius Severus. Drusus and , the head it an air of authority are the empire with Caracalla and, Recognisable by his curly hair of Septimius Severus has been characteristic of Julia Domna’s considered something of a and full beard, the founder of sculpted in white Carrara marble, physiognomy. With her full, goddess, received the honorific the Severan dynasty reigned from while the delicately Mannerist- round face and large, firm mouth title augusta. 193 to 211. style bust is onyx. the empress is depicted in the full Septimius Severus was constantly bloom of youth. Once restored, this bust will be reinforcing the sacred nature Once restored, Septimius Severus The second wife of Septimius installed at courtyard level on the of emperors and wasn’t shy about will be kept in a storage area open Severus (emperor from 193 to North face of the Royal Courtyard having himself represented with to the public. 211), she was the mother of the (3rd bust from the left). the features of Jupiter Capitolinus. emperors Caracalla and Geta.

9 bust of vitellius This portrayal is of Vitellius The overall effect of the face in his fifties, so some years before is one of puffiness, betraying his death. the hectic lifestyle of this cruel The bulge of the eyebrows, and hedonistic emperor, who although substantial, does not reigned for just one year, in AD cover the eye and so his gaze is 69. visible. The lower part of the face is heavy, with furrows leading Once restored, this bust will be from a double chin towards installed at courtyard level on the the cheeks. The thick-lipped and South face of the Royal Courtyard downturned mouth demonstrate (5th bust from the right). the sculptor’s attention to detail.

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