Une si douce captivité . Oiseaux de volière et célébration de la monarchie au château de Fontainebleau sous Henri IV

The aviary at the Palace of Fontainebleau, constructed for King Henri IV between 1599 and 1608, served as a sophisticated political allegory, symbolizing royal power and absolutism. This study reveals its immersive design—spatially, visually, and auditorily—as a carefully curated space that celebrated monarchy through the captivity of whistling birds. The aviary's architectural and interior dispositions were analyzed to highlight its recreational and symbolic functions, demonstrating how it manifested the virtues and perceived benefits of royal authority at the French court. By examining historical records and architectural evidence, the research underscores the aviary's role in reinforcing monarchical prestige during Henri IV's reign.

Lurin, E. (2023). Une si douce captivité . Oiseaux de volière et célébration de la monarchie au château de Fontainebleau sous Henri IV. Revue de L’art, N° 218(4), 6–19. https://doi.org/10.3917/rda.218.0006