The sculpted Apollo's Chariot Fountain is connected to the launch of the restoration at the Versailles castle, west of Paris, on December 6, 2022. THIBAULT CAMUS AP VERSAILLES Apollo's Chariot Fountain was lifted from its base in the sumptuous gardens of the Palace of Versailles on Tuesday ahead of an 18 month restoration of the gilded lead sculpture celebrating the Greek god.
It is the first time that the iconic artwork by Jean-Baptiste Tuby has been removed from its basin since it was placed there in 1671 during the reign of Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King.
The restoration work had been limited to its surface until now.
People look at the sculpted Apollo's Chariot Fountain lifting as part of the restoration of the castle at Versailles, west of Paris, on December 6, 2022. THIBAULT CAMUS AP Apollo has suffered from the impact of time Jacques Moulin, head architect at Versailles, told Reuters.
The metal structures that have supported the fountain for more than three centuries, consisting of 13 statues and weighing 30 tonnes, have rusted and warped, leaving the fountain in need of critical remedial work, Moulin explained.
The damage is not caused by the lead but the metallic structures in each sculpture. The restoration was already considered urgent 10 years ago, and you can see the damage on the sculptures, said Catherine Pegard, president of Chateau de Versailles.
The restoration work will consist of disassembling the statues, with the 13 sculptures being restored and re-gilded, while the stone base will be strengthened.
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We are preparing for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. With the horse riding events happening here, we'll have Apollo's Chariot, in majestic and flamboyant gold, as a backdrop for the Games Pegard said.