Susan "Sue" Serrott White Memorial Lecture in Decorative Arts & Design History

Refurnishing Versailles: the Impossible Challenge

Sunday, June 22 | 1:00–2:30p.m. | Great Gallery

No registration required.

The Château de Versailles, as envisioned by King Louis XIV in the 17th century, can be considered a total work of art. Architecture, painting, and sculpture go hand in hand with landscape, music, dance, design, water displays—even the sun itself. The ensemble, still as spectacular as ever for visitors, is nevertheless difficult to fully grasp today: the king and his successors constantly modified, enlarged, and updated everything. The dispersal of the château’s entire contents at public auction during the French Revolution should have marked the definitive end of this Baroque dream.

Since the late 19th century, every effort has been made to reassemble the pieces of this jigsaw, refurnish the palace, and recreate a lost unity—however chimerical that goal may be. Methods have evolved, and the complexity of re-furnishing has led to many adjustments between theory and practice. This fascinating undertaking will be analyzed and explained, with all its successes and failures—for it is far more than just a luxury shopping spree in the footsteps of Queen Marie-Antoinette.

Individuals with disabilities: Please indicate if you need accommodations, assistance, or appropriate modifications to fully participate in this event by contacting Access Initiatives at access@toledomuseum.org. While we strive to provide everyone with a positive visitor experience, last-minute requests may not be accommodated. We kindly ask that requests be made at least three days prior to the event. Thank you.

About Christophe Leribault

This lecture in honor of Susan "Sue" Serrott White will be given by Christophe Leribault, President of the Palace of Versailles since March 2024.

Following his Ph.D. in Art History on 18th-century painter Jean-François de Troy, he worked as a curator at the Musée Carnavalet, dedicated to the history of Paris, before becoming Deputy Director of Drawings at the Louvre while also directing the Musée Delacroix. He then led the Petit Palais, the Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris, for eight years before heading the museums of Orsay and L'Orangerie.

Though specializing in 18th and 19th-century art, Leribault is also reknown for incorporating contemporary vision into classical institutions. He has curated exhibitions by artists such as Kehinde Wiley, Peter Doig, and Nathanaëlle Herbelin at the Musée d'Orsay, and Guillaume Bresson at Versailles, creating dialogue between classical and contemporary expressions and revitalizing historical venues. In 2023, he was elected to the French Academy of Fine Arts, a recognition of his works and influence as an art historian and cultural administrator.