The Cour Coysevox

The Cour Coysevox

The two inner courtyards of the former Ministry of Finance were beautifully transformed to hold the French sculptures of the Louis XIV period. The courtyards were roofed with glass that ideally lights the works no matter what the hour, the day, or the season. They are one of the greatest achievements of the Grand Louvre. It was decided they would be named the Cour Marly (Richelieu, room 102) and the Cour Puget (Richelieu, room 105). The Cour Puget contains a few Pugets, including the impressive Milo of Croton, but also Pigalles, Lemoynes, Bouchardons…. The other courtyard, meanwhile, is almost entirely devoted to the works of Antoine Coysevox—and his nephews and pupils Guillaume and Nicolas Coustou—for the Château de Marly gardens. Why wasn’t it named the “Cour Coysevox,” which would have justly honored the Grand Siècle sculptor? The only reason I can see is this: his name is unpronounceable. He himself chose this pretentious spelling instead of the banal “Coiseveau,” easier to utter. Too bad for him. This is his contented self-portrait next to a bust he made of his fellow artist Antoine Coypel (Richelieu, room 104), another Antoine whose name trips up the tongue.