STARNO contributed several high-end Digital Matte Paintings for the epic historical drama VERSAILLES, produced by Canal+. Our work focused on the visual evolution of the iconic Palace of Versailles during its early, ambitious years of transformation under Louis XIV.
As a Freelance Matte Painter working for MELS Studios, Frédéric St-Arnaud was responsible for recreating the grand entrance of the palace. This epic historical reconstruction depicts a pivotal moment as a primary character enters the grounds. The challenge lay in portraying the palace not just as a finished monument, but as a massive active construction site.
The environment showcases the stark contrast of the era: the beginning of the palace's architectural splendor surrounded by a city still under heavy development, with scaffolding, mud, and rising structures. This complex matte painting required a deep understanding of 17th-century urban planning and architecture to provide a seamless, photorealistic backdrop that grounds the series in its specific historical context.
Set in 1667, VERSAILLES follows the young and ambitious King Louis XIV as he decides to build the greatest palace in the world—Versailles. Trapped by the haunting memories of his childhood and political unrest in Paris, the Sun King seeks to centralize his power by forcing the nobility to move to his new seat of government.
The series is a gripping tale of power, betrayal, and obsession, revealing the dark side of the French court's opulence. As the palace grows, so do the stakes of the deadly games played within its walls, changing the history of France and the world forever.
STARNO TEAM:Frédéric St-Arnaud (Freelance Matte Painter)
MELS
TV SERIES – 2015-2018
© 2015 Canal+ / Capa Drama / Zodiak Fiction. All rights reserved.