Versailles à Morellet

From June 30 to November 1, 2026, as part of 100 x Morellet—a celebration of the centennial of François Morellet's birth, initiated by the Centre Pompidou in collaboration with the Estate of Morellet—the Palace of Versailles will present six major works by the artist. These pieces will engage in a dialogue with the opulent interiors of the Grand Apartments and the perspectives of the garden. François Morellet often juxtaposed his minimalist protocols with natural environments or spectacular architectures. At the Palace of Versailles, the centennial of his birth offers an opportunity to showcase several major works, inviting visitors to imagine the artist at work, amused by the unexpected shifts and resonances they provoke. Inside the Palace, at the start of the visitor's journey, the dialogue begins with two of the artist's renowned installations, positioned along the axis of the Royal Chapel. Le Lamentable lets its neon arcs collapse onto the floor of the chapel's lower vestibule, while the black sculpture Beaming π unfurls its segments—angled according to the decimal digits of π—across the marble marquetry of the nave (on display until September 27, 2026). Other works find their place in the King's Grand Apartments, where the opulence of the Baroque décor makes their geometric rigor all the more striking: from the iconic Sphère-trame, suspended in the low stone gallery of the North Wing, to the monumental Super Position, which abstractly restores the missing throne on the dais of the Apollo Room. In the gardens, a dual installation at the foot of the Apollo's baths grove will be like a conversation between François Morellet and Hubert Robert.