French 1935 Art Deco Travel Poster, Versailles

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About The Poster: A fabulous Art Deco poster advertising the exceptional night-life offered at the royal palace of Versailles. 'Grandes … Read more About The Poster: A fabulous Art Deco poster advertising the exceptional night-life offered at the royal palace of Versailles. 'Grandes Eaux" translates roughly to large fountain, and Fetes de Nuit to evening galas - both events that bring to mind lovely gowns, men in tuxedos and, bien sur, champagne.

The fountains at Versailles were meticulously designed for royal tastes, but more mundane issues, like engineering, were evidently always a problem. "The 18th-century waterworks at Marly - the Machine de Marly that fed the fountains— was possibly the biggest mechanical system of its time. The water came in from afar on monumental stone aqueducts which have long ago fallen into disrepair or been torn down. Some aqueducts, were never completed for want of resources or due to the exigencies of war. Despite enormous investment in canals and machinery for hoisting water, Versailles never had a sufficient water supply for its hundreds of fountains. When the King promenaded in the gardens, fountains were turned on only when the King was approaching them, and turned off after he departed. Today, only a few fountains are supplied with water, and only operate on a very limited schedule."

A lovely, very rare poster (we've never seen it before and can find no record of it being sold at auction), in very good condition. Very minor edge flaws will disappear when the piece is framed.

From a private collection. See less