The design and construction of the palace of Versailles evolved over several decades through a series of building campaigns. The “chateau of cards” inherited from Louis XIII was enveloped by a much larger structure, creating the Grand Apartments of the king and queen. They were initially linked by an open terrace, which was soon covered to form the iconic Hall of Mirrors. To make the palace suitable as the official residence of the court, massive wings were added to the south and north. Finally, a new chapel was completed at the end of Louis XIV’s reign. In each phase, the architectural transformations went hand in hand with the execution of elaborate decorative programs through painting, sculpture, and other visual arts. Some of the spaces and decors have remained more or less intact, while others now exist only in descriptions, drawings, and engravings.