Through the exhibition “Le cheval: Art et pouvoir” (“The horse: Art and power”), the bibliothèques de Versailles illustrate the special relation which has always existed between horses and Versailles. To this day, the royal city of Yvelines is still very passionate about the animal. In addition to owning an Academy of equestrian arts (Académie des arts équestres) and an Equestrian Centre, Versailles will host the 2024 Summer Olympics equestrian games. This important retrospective was designed in partnership with the department of patrimonial collections of the maison Hermès. Indeed, part of the course is dedicated to Emile Hermès, a great art collector associated with the horse figure and brilliant leather craftsman. The event also addresses themes related to equestrian art, the evolution from king-rider to horse-king, or even, equestrian sociability. Once on site, why not visit the Versailles Palace, one of France’s architectural jewels.

Exhibition “Le cheval: Art et pouvoir. Trésors de la collection Emile Hermès et des bibliothèques de Versailles”, (“The horse: Art and power. Treasures from the Emile Hermès collection and the bibliothèques de Versailles”), from April 6th to July 7th, 2018.
Open from Tuesday to Friday, from 2a.m. to 6p.m., and on Saturday from 10a.m. to 6p.m.
Closed on Sunday and Monday.
Free entrance.

Gala harness designed for His Majesty the Emperor of Morocco, 1902
Drawing in quill, ink and watercolour
Signed by E. Hermès at the bottom right
Emile Hermès Collection, Paris
©Studio Sébert

Galerie des Affaires étrangères
Bibliothèque municipale de Versailles (website only available in French)
5, rue de l’Indépendance américaine
78000 Versailles
France
Tel: +33 (0)1 30 97 28 90

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