Jacques Rigaud (Marseilles 1681-1754 Paris)

The magnificent Colonnade was designed by Hardouin-Mansart in 1684, replacing the Bosquets des sources de Versailles finished only two years previously. The peristyle of white Carrara marble was set with 32 polychrome columns interspersed with wide-lipped, shallow-basin fountains each sending a jet of water sixteen feet into the air. Girardon's sculpture of The Rape of Proserpine, originally created for the Parterre d'Eau, was set at the centre of the garden.