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Lot Essay
The Bassin de Latone designed by Le Nôtre in 1666 and later modified by Hardouin-Mansart, is at the foot of the Parterre d'Eau, and so the viewer is placed with his back to the great Hall of Mirrors looking down the central axis of the garden towards the Grand Canal. The central fountain made by the Marcy brothers in 1668-70 shows the story of the vengeance of Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana, a clear reference to the vicissitudes of the Regency of Anne of Austria. The 28 marble statues surrounding the fountain show a sequence of myths of the Sun taken from Cesare Ripa's Iconologia, a clear reference to the Sun King himself.
The Grand Piece d'Eau de l'Isle Royale was the focal point of the south-western part of the garden, but fell into disuse after the Revolution and has since disappeared. The Isle Royale itself, installed in the pool by Le Nôtre and characteristic of his designs, collapsed in 1684, rendering the name of the pond rather misleading.
The Grand Piece d'Eau de l'Isle Royale was the focal point of the south-western part of the garden, but fell into disuse after the Revolution and has since disappeared. The Isle Royale itself, installed in the pool by Le Nôtre and characteristic of his designs, collapsed in 1684, rendering the name of the pond rather misleading.