With Guillaume Bresson, contemporary art is back at the Palace of Versailles

Until May 25, 2025, the Palace of Versailles (Yvelines) presents the first retrospective exhibition of contemporary artist Guillaume Bresson.

Bringing contemporary art and historic sites into dialogue

A leading figure in French figurative painting, he depicts on his realistic canvases characters captured in the violence in peri-urban areaswith references to religious and historical painting.

“The interest is to bring contemporary art and historical site into dialogue, but to find a good reason for this. »

Guillaume Bresson installed his works in the rooms of Africa and Crimea. Rooms which usually host temporary exhibitions, but whose paintings on the walls are hidden.

This time, they are clearly visible, because they are the ones who enter into dialogue with the paintings of Guillaume Bresson.

“These rooms are the culmination of Louis-Philippe’s project which reconverted the castle into a museum,” recalls Christophe Leribault. Three rooms are devoted to conquests. Horace Vernet depicted many battles. »

An art marked by ancient painting

Of the battles which thus resonate with the paintings of Guillaume Bresson representing scenes of urban violence.

“There is a sort of face-to-face,” believes the former president of the Musée d’Orsay, which had already hosted works by Guillaume Bresson. He adds: “His art is also marked by ancient painting. »

Guillaume Bresson has a very particular way of working. “I start by working on the body movements with groups, young people, friends, etc. Then we take photos in the studio. This gives me a database of characters which then allows me to recompose the table. »

Bodies tell the story

A work on the light, on the background of the scene, here a parking souterrainthere a neighborhood street, which then gives life to a scene of urban violence. Like this painting inspired by the Toulouse riots in 2002.

“What interests me is telling the story through the body. »

Contemporary bodies that dialogue with those of soldiers on the battlefields of the 19th century^e century, such as during the siege of Constantine on October 10, 1837 or the battle of Isly on August 14, 1844.

Exhibition included in the traditional visit to the castle.
Information: www.chateauversailles.fr

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.