Object of the Day: “The Esplanade at Versailles” by Robert J. Inness

We discovered the paintings of Robert J. Inness through his wife, Yvette Inness, a friend of my family who operates an excellent booth at Forestwood Antique Mall in Dallas. We quickly became enchanted by Mr. Inness’ remarkable talent, his brilliant use of color and his ability to capture the spirit of the places he depicts in his scenes.


Of the four Robert J. Inness paintings in my collection, two are quite large. One depicts Belgium’s beautiful Hôtel de Ville, the other is this monumental painting of the Esplanade at Versailles.

I was attracted to this painting initially for several reasons—the color palette, the subject matter and the composition. I love the fact that the majority of the canvas is comprised of this dramatic, misty sky which embraces the Palace of Versailles, putting the man-made beauty of the structure into perspective against the forces of nature. The organic feel of the composition is reinforced by the scurrying human figures—rushing about under their umbrellas in a manner which reminds me of the film, Les Parapluies de Cherbourg. The Palace itself is almost abstracted, but Inness presents a realism through his cunning use of lighting which results in a depth and substance that humanizes the building while retaining its sense of grandeur.

Inness’ use of color is exceptional. Rich blues anchor the top and bottom of the canvas as the colors of the umbrellas provide a counterpoint to the slickness of the wet sheen of the ground. The esplanade slices through the canvas, reminding us both of the monumentality of the edifice and its place in history.

This is truly a stunning work of art, and one which I’m pleased to display in my home. If you’re ever in the Dallas area, I’d recommend a visit to Yvette. Not only is she a lovely person, but it’ll give you a chance to see some of Mr. Inness’ outstanding work.