Fouquet and Vaux-le-Vicomte VI, a photo from Ile-de-France, North

Photographer's Note

In 1661, following the passing of the Cardinal Mazarin, (born July 14, 1602, Pescina, Abruzzi, Kingdom of Naples [now in Italy]—died March 9, 1661, Vincennes, France), Nicola Fouquet was chosen to succeed to the position of prime minister of France while the king, Louis XIV Le Roi Soleil (born Sept. 5, 1638, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France—died Sept. 1, 1715, Versailles), king of France (1643–1715) was still very young. By the spring of this year in 1661, his chateau at Vaux was well underway. And on August 17th 1661 of this very year, Fouquet hosted a great celebration to mark his success and to inaugurate his residence there, and also to affirm the succession of the king. Towards the end of the day at 18:00 hours, the king and his noble members arrived at Vaux. The young Louis XIV and his court members rested till the heat of the mid August day dissipated. The very well known Chef, François Vatel (1631, Paris– April 24, 1671) whose job it was to put on feasts and spectacles for the pleasure of royalty prepared a sumptuous dinner in honour of the king accompanied by music on this day. The king born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, in a small-modified fortress without much charm, which still exists today, had no fixed residence of his own during this period. Seeing the splendour of the edifice much more elegant and sumptuous than his own residence at Saint-Germain-en-laye, the young king was not at all pleased to see Fouquet’s new residence at Vaux-le-Vicomte. He had the urge to put Fouquet under arrest on the spot, but was persuaded by his mother Anne d’autriche (22 September 1601 – 20 January 1666) to wait for a more politically suited time. Moliere‘s play “Les facheux”(The unfortunates) debuted in the presence of the king. At one o’clock, a great fire works display was presented in the garden; the festivities seem to have gone very successfully. However, in spite of Fouquet‘s effort to please the king, he ended up making the 22-year-old Louis XIV very jealous and furious.

PaulVDV, lakshmip1949, Angshu, delpeoples, holmertz, chanteuse, jlbrthnn, adores, danos, Cricri, yquem46, jhm, RhodieIke, paololg heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

ciakgiak (30) 2012-02-25 10:50

Hello Nobu,
I think that this is a spectacular composition with the sculpture in FG and the superb facade of the Palace in the BG. The sky is the magnificent addiction to a great photo.
Congratulations and TFS.
Best regards
Giorgio

siudzi (34141) 2012-02-25 11:07

Hi Nobu,

Wow! What a spectacular shot of this amazing place! Love the mysterious atmosphere here created by the cloudy sky. Also, the sculpture of some dangerous animals makes it so remarkable and unique. Perfectly composed and executed. Bravo!!

Regards,
Malgorzata

La_Tulipe (2798) 2012-02-25 12:01

Bonsoir Nobu,
Tu as bien décentré l'élément principal de ta composition : cette statue semble marquée par le temps qui passe et pourtant, elle reste très belle . Le choix de cadrage laisse une belle ouverture sur le château et malgré son éloignement , la luminosité permet de voir encore très bien les détails de l'architecture.
Amitiés
Brigitte

PaulVDV (63478) 2012-02-25 13:24

Hello Nobu,
With this dangerous-looking guards, one enters the gardens of the castle at own risk.
Very well composed.
Splendid dramatic sky.
Best regards, Paul

lakshmip1949 (19081) 2012-02-25 15:48

Hello Dear Nobu,

Thanks for uploading this beautiful photo with the accompanying historical text. It is unfortunate that such a wonderful work of art inspired negative emotion on the part of the King. Were the animal sculptures up front part of the original design? Why did you choose to emphasize these figures? It conveys the impression that the animals are watching over the chateau.

The fact that this picture was taken on a gloomy day prods the viewer to imagine what the original festival might have looked like.

Afsanehbagheri (3228) 2012-02-25 21:45

سلام

تبریک دوست من

Angshu (56760) 2012-02-25 22:15

Hello dear Nobu-san
A fine picture from this amazing place...all your pictures from here are little gems. What is indeed excellent is your composition with the sculpture of the lions in the FG, as if they guard the chateau. The dark clouds in the sky seem to collaborate with you as they not only add contrast but also a sense of sombreness to this picture, a feeling I get reading your fine note!
Best Regards Nobu-san & have a fine week ahead
Angshuman

delpeoples (60342) 2012-02-26 1:20

Salut mon cher Nobuccio-san

A classic POV, I knew this was yours even in the thumbnail. I like the perspective and the excellent depth of field. The sky looks wonderful and the colours give it a dreamy look. Excellent Note, I remember reading about this in one of Hugo's novels where Fouquet made the King jealous.

Thanks for sharing, have a beautiful evening
Lisa

mauro61 (53429) 2012-02-26 3:31

ciao Nobu,
POV ben studiato e realizzato con il perfetto inserimento del gruppo in pietra delle fiere e con l'edificio sullo sfondo.
Mi piace molto la tonalità,
saluti
maurizio

holmertz (103642) 2012-02-26 5:18

Hello Nobu,
This is a bit of a postcard, but I rarely see postcards as well composed as this. The dramatic statue makes a strong foreground and creates an interest in what could otherwise have been a rather empty composition. The dark clouds have served you well.
Kind regards,
Gert

sacimar (38173) 2012-02-26 7:08

Hello Nobu,

this is another good image using a statue and a building as a main elements in the composition, the result is interesting, I like the details of the statue, it's a nice job,

Best regards,

Sergio

chanteuse (210) 2012-02-26 14:08

Your photo is a marvelous illustration of your note, Nobu! The predatory animals crouch, their jealousy can be felt, they are ready to spring upon the beautiful creation of Fouquet which waits unsuspectingly at the convergence of several diagonals...still serene in the light as the storm clouds gather. As usual, the clouds are perfectly placed, and the lion looking proudly into the distance could be Louis, anticipating the time when he will surpass Fouquet, and indeed Fouquet's name will be almost forgotten. Almost...

jlbrthnn (76043) 2012-02-26 14:08

Hi Nobu,
The composition is very elegant. The foreground is the best dramatic effect. The castle is pleasantly situated at depth. The light, colors and sharpness are excellent. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Best regards
Joël

adores (46979) 2012-02-26 18:17

Hi Nobu!
Another one with a great atmosphere! I like the dark clouds and you framed the statue perfectly, with the palace in background! Good shot!

BennyV (34780) 2012-02-27 5:42

Hello Nobu

Fine composition and colours. As I noted before in your shots, the definition is quite grainy. Sometimes this is a bit of a letdown, here I don't mind. Atmospheric picture.

Benny

danos (110407) 2012-02-27 7:48

Hello Nobu,
one more beautiful scene with the famous castle as backdrop of the image.I like the synthesis with the sculpture on the foreground to be placed perfect in the frame.Nice the light and the colour management of the shot.

Regards,Danos

Cricri (176) 2012-02-27 10:30

Hi Nobu
Tout beau le cadrage de la sculpture et aussi intéressante, belle vue du château , la lumière, les détails et les couleurs sont très jolies, très belle réalisation
Agréable soirée
cricri

yquem46 (38752) 2012-02-27 10:34

bonsoir Nobu
Une belle image !
Un superbe ciel très menaçant dont le gris bleuté se marie parfaitement avec le beige de l'allée
Belle introduction au château dans le lointain avec ce couple de lions qui constituent un excellent avant plan
Bien amicalement
patrick

batalay (41261) 2012-02-27 23:56

Hello Dear Nobu,

After 350 years, the chateau still retains its majesty, especially with the tension provided by these two mountain lions seemingly in combat. But additional drama is provided by that restless sky. The music that rang in those halls may well have been provided by Jean Baptiste Lully.

Warm regards, Nobu.

Bulent

jhm (211738) 2012-02-28 3:33

Hello Nobu,

Technical very well taken, you create space beside the statue, that we get a very lovely background.
A splendid panoramic view about these lovely area.
Perspective and depth are very well taken.
Excellent composition.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

RhodieIke (11752) 2012-02-29 7:32

Hi Nobu, How are you, I see from your post you are bold and in a mysterious mood. Fantastic light giving us a great mood the Pov, on the two beasts add's power, then on to the fantastic Chateau in the Bg, Bravo, Tfs, Cheers Iain.

Yiannis84 (2824) 2012-03-02 6:59

Hi Nobu..

One more image by your own originality! great effect and very skillful light management! i really like how you framed the scene..excellent shot! very well done

Best regards..Yiannis

aliabazari (23283) 2012-03-02 18:12

Hi Nobu
Depth and perspective, and I loved this magnificent stone statue has a good image.
Thanks for sharing the

paololg (31448) 2012-04-08 22:29

Ciao dear Nobu,
I read with great interest your notes about the history and the important figures that have visited this beautiful and majestic palace. I must congratulate you for the good choice of POV, creative and original, with those lions in the foreground seem that the guardians of the castle. Excellent also the feeling of depth, highlighted by a pleasingly dramatic sky. As always, you have presented to us an excellent work, congratulations!
Ciao, have a nice week!
Paolo