“Per ardua” That inscription etched into the marble base whispers of ambition. We stand before the Statue équestre de Louis XIV sous les traits de Marcus Curtius a magnificent equestrian statue. It’s a powerful presence isn’t it?
This isn’t just any statue. It’s a story of royal ambition artistic genius and a clever disguise. Originally conceived in 1665 by the renowned Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini the statue was intended to portray Louis XIV. The Sun King himself. Bernini envisioned Louis as a new Hercules ascending the mountain of Virtue. The king astride a rearing steed a symbol of untamed power.
The creation wasn’t easy. The marble was painstakingly carved between 1671 and 1673. The finished masterpiece a breathtaking 376 x 399 x 157 cm of marble arrived in France in 1684. Its journey was fraught with difficulty. The ship carrying it almost met a disastrous end. Imagine the anxiety the statue’s creators must have experienced!
But then came the unveiling. King Louis XIV himself viewed it at Versailles in 1685. He was far from impressed. He found the statue’s execution to be poor. The king’s displeasure was almost expected. Louvois had already written to François Girardon requesting alterations. The pose of the horse proved too awkward. It was too wild. Too much like a real horse. Not majestic enough for a king.
So the statue was transformed. François Girardon re-sculpted the head adding a plumed helmet. The rocks and enemy banners beneath the horse were replaced by flames. A subtle change but significant. The statue now portrayed Marcus Curtius a Roman hero who sacrificed himself to save Rome.
The Statue équestre de Louis XIV sous les traits de Marcus Curtius survived the Revolution. It stood the test of time. But damage in the 1980s necessitated a six-year restoration. Now carefully preserved in the Orangerie at Versailles it continues to fascinate and intrigue. Its tale reminds us that even symbols of power undergo transformations. That the legacy of art can be surprisingly resilient.