An architectural masterpiece from the 17th century
Apollo's fountain lies between the Grand Canal and the Great Lawn, making it a firm part of the Grande Perspective in the gardens of Versailles, as planned by André Le Nôtre.
Rising majestically from the centre of the fountain is Apollo's chariot team...
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An architectural masterpiece from the 17th century
Apollo's fountain lies between the Grand Canal and the Great Lawn, making it a firm part of the Grande Perspective in the gardens of Versailles, as planned by André Le Nôtre.
Rising majestically from the centre of the fountain is Apollo's chariot team - a group of thirteen lead statues symbolising the sun god's journey. Apollo bursts from the water to light up the world, his chariot harnessed to four spirited steeds, accompanied by a cherub. Surrounding him are four sea creatures and four tritons located at the four cardinal points of the stone base.
This group of metal sculptures was created by Jean-Baptiste Tuby between 1668 and 1671, based on a design by Le Brun. It was made at the Gobelins manufactory and then taken to Versailles in 1670, before being gilded the following year.
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