Panels from the shutters formerly in the Chapel Room at Versailles 1705 - 1715

These panels, carved in wood by Robert de Cotte, once formed the shutters in the Chapel Room at Versailles. De Cotte was a leading architect in France, and his designs reflect the opulence and power associated with the French monarchy. The image creates meaning through carefully chosen visual codes. Note the prominent display of the fleur-de-lys, the stylized lily, a traditional emblem of the French monarchy and the Trinity. The chapel at Versailles was a space where the King performed devotions, which can be viewed as a demonstration of the divine right of Kings. The decorative carvings and choice of emblems would have reinforced the social and political hierarchies of the time. The chapel itself served not only as a place of worship but also as a stage for projecting royal authority. Understanding art like this requires archival research into the history of Versailles and the role of religion in legitimizing power during the 17th and 18th centuries. The meaning of these panels is contingent on its social and institutional context.