The Apotheosis of Hercules
2004 © Maxim Tabachnik
Temple of LoveGardens of VersaillesLouis XV in the Salon de Mercure
Apotheosis of HerculesThe Apotheosis of Hercules
The Pilgrims at EmmausCandelabras, Hall of MirrorsWar RoomFountain of AmphitritePetting Goats at the Hameau de la ReineMax with Gary at Court of HonourColumn of the Temple of GloryMarie Antoinette’s BedMax at the Orangerie TerraceMarble CourtyardThe Orangerie and Swiss LakeMarlborough Tower and DairyRustic RetreatRiver God with ChildMom at the Hall of MirrorsParterre de l’OrangerieKing’s State BedThe Meal at the House of SimonAstronomical ClockQueen’s Bedchamber Canopy and AlcoveRoom of MarsAlley of the MusesStatue of Louis XIVCottage in Marie Antoinette’s HamletGalerie des BataillesLuis and JJ at the Cour d’HonneurLouis XIV on HorsebackLouis XIV as Roman EmperorParterre of the OrangeryMax, Luis, and JJ at Latona FountainApollo in His ChariotLuis and JJ in the Allée des Deux-TrianonsMercury Presenting the Arts to ApolloQueens of France in the Grand CouvertCarp in the Grand Canal

The Apotheosis of HerculesCharles Le Brun

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This ceiling painting (1672–74) shows Hercules carried upward among the gods, framed by gilded stucco and surrounding narrative panels. Created under Louis XIV, it occupies the central vault of a ceremonial interior and aligns with the broader decorative program of Versailles. By elevating Hercules to Olympus, Le Brun articulates the hero’s triumphs as parallel to the king’s claim to divine authority.