Hyacinthe Rigaud Collection

The palace of Versailles is launching two upcycling collections with the young French brands Le Lissier and Gaëlle Constantini. Made from the fabrics used in the scenography of the exhibition Hyacinthe Rigaud ou le portrait soleil, these creations are now available.

Offered in very limited editions, these unique products are the result of a partnership between the palace of Versailles, Gaëlle Constantini and Le Lissier, two French brands specialising in upcycling. This process, which consists in giving a new life to a second-hand object, has enabled them to imagine unique and original products. These creations benefit from a high quality raw material: the hundreds of lengths of fabric used in the scenography of the exhibition, presented in May 2021 at the palace of Versailles, which became available after the exhibition was dismantled.

This eco-responsible approach is in line with the Château de Versailles' desire, which has been in place for several years now, to reuse certain materials related to exhibitions and construction sites: signage, scenography and decorative tarpaulins.

The exhibition Hyacinthe Rigaud ou le portrait Soleil, organised both chronologically and thematically, focused on the career of Hyacinthe Rigaud, from his beginnings in Catalonia to his consecration in Paris. Self-portraits painted by the artist throughout his life were on display, as well as an entire, spectacular section devoted to portraits of Louis XIV.

Entrusted to the Italian scenographer Pier Luigi Pizzi, known for his spectacular stagings, the exhibition's setting was punctuated by thirteen variations of a fabric elaborated with the famous Venetian house Rubelli. Inspired by the colours of the artist's palette, the fabric was made with golden thread to evoke the refinement of the court of Versailles.