Balzaal in de tuinen van Versailles 1686

This 1686 etching by Dutch artist Willem Swidde depicts the "Salle des Dances" at the Palace of Versailles. The artwork is a detailed and colorful representation of an outdoor theater in the gardens of Versailles, featuring a circular stage surrounded by tiered seating. The central stage, where dancers would have performed, is framed by sculpted greenery and pathways. The surrounding landscape showcases the lush gardens of Versailles, a testament to French Baroque architecture and landscape design. This print, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles during the reign of King Louis XIV.