“Versailles: Science and Splendour” at the Science Museum reveals the vital role of Versailles in advancing science during the Enlightenment, focusing on royal patronage and the contributions of both male and female scientists. The exhibition runs until April 21, 2025, emphasising the fusion of art and science in reinforcing royal power and cultural prestige.
The exhibition “Versailles: Science and Splendour” at the Science Museum in London highlights Versailles’ significant yet overlooked role in the advancement of science during the Enlightenment. Established by Louis XIV in 1666, the Royal Academy of Sciences was designed to bolster royal authority through scientific progress. Kings Louis XV and Louis XVI engaged in experiments, valuing innovations in chemistry, astronomy, and medicine that enhanced their power and public health.
Versailles became a centre for science, attracting scholars known as “savants.” Notable figures like Benjamin Franklin shared discoveries there, promoting knowledge exchange. To promote these scientific pursuits, the Crown commissioned artworks like Henri Testelin’s “Establissement de l’Académie des sciences,” depicting meetings between the king and leading scientists amidst symbols of intellectualism.
Women also contributed significantly to scientific advancements, with Emilie du Châtelet being a key figure. Her translation of Newton’s work added valuable insights, challenging gender norms of her time. Voltaire praised her intellect, stating, “a great man whose only fault was being a woman,” highlighting her struggle for recognition in a male-dominated field.
The allure of new botanical specimens, such as pineapples, captivated French naturalists and aristocrats, leading to advancements like the greenhouse. By 1733, the first homegrown pineapples were gifted to the king, marking significant agricultural progress celebrated through art. This trend influenced decorative arts and textiles, showcasing the intertwined nature of science and culture during this era.
Louis XIV transformed Versailles into a testament of royal power, completing grand projects like the Marly Machine, an engineering marvel that provided water for the palace’s fountains. This hydraulic system illustrated human ingenuity and became a symbol of the monarchy’s wealth. Documentation through artwork captures its grandeur despite its physical disappearance.
The exhibition runs until April 21, 2025, showcasing the intersection of art and science and underscoring Versailles’ historical role in fostering intellectual advancements amidst its opulent surroundings.
The exhibition focuses on Versailles’ duality as both a royal palace and a scientific hub during the Enlightenment. While often perceived solely as a symbol of aristocratic luxury, Versailles also played an essential role in promoting scientific research and innovations, leveraging these advancements to reinforce royal power. The establishment of the Royal Academy of Sciences marked a shift in scientific patronage, fostering an environment where notable philosophers and scientists collaborated to further France’s scientific and imperial ambitions.
The “Versailles: Science and Splendour” exhibition reveals the palace’s hidden history as a hub of scientific achievement, showcasing the Crown’s strategic investment in research. Beyond the opulence, it highlights the contributions of prominent scientists, including women, and underscores the marriage of art and science as a means of asserting royal authority. Ultimately, Versailles serves as a testament to an era of cultural and scientific enlightenment.
Original Source: news.artnet.com