Discover the exhibition by Slovakian artist, Michal Korman, and take wonder at a series of interconnected scenes exploring French gardens and interiors associated with the legacy of Marie Antoinette, framed as though viewed from behind a French window. These works weave together themes of love, memory, and tranquility, each tied to an eighteenth-century French garden.
The interplay between interior and exterior scenes creates a dialogue, with each composition acting as a window—either opening to an outdoor landscape or an interior—directly engaging with the environment of the Grade II listed building.
Upon entry, visitors are greeted by La Bourrasque (The Squall), which depicts a portion of the Belvedere in Le Petit Trianon, Versailles—Marie Antoinette’s favoured retreat. Designed by Richard Mique and located in the English-style garden, the Belvedere pavilion serves as a focal point. The scene captures three figures: a couple of lovers and a solitary figure walking against the wind. A dachshund waits patiently on the terrace of the Belvedere pavilion, while two birds are caught mid-flight in the gusts of wind.
Korman’s second artwork, titled Home, takes the form of a single-panel interior view featuring a large bookshelf and Louis XVI-style furniture. Within the painting, the books on the shelves reference art, artists, travel and Marie Antoinette herself, evoking themes of both intellectual and domestic life. This painting suggests a lived-in space, a house perhaps belonging to a couple, complete with a memory picture on the shelf.
The artist’s final composition, L’Accalmie (The Lull), offers a peaceful view of the gardens at the Château de Bagatelle. Built in 1777 by the Count d’Artois as part of a wager with Marie Antoinette (a challenge to construct a château within 100 days), Bagatelle exudes an intimate, idyllic atmosphere. Here, a couple enjoys a moment of quiet repose amidst the serene landscape. The series ultimately revolves around the figure of lovers—from the couple battling the wind in La Bourrasque to the domestic intimacy of Home, and the quiet harmony of L’Accalmie.
Enjoy the exhibition at sketch until 9th March.