Words by Arizzoli-Clémentel Pierre

Charles de Beistegui revealed Alexandre Serebriakoff as an exceptional interior painter by commissioning views of Groussay, which today testify to the elegance and refinement of his home. It is sometimes forgotten that his passion for building was not limited to the château he transformed and beautified, altering its façade and adding two wings. Alongside these decorative works, he undertook others in the park, where he had follies constructed in the purest taste of the 18th century. Thus, between 1950 and 1969, the garden became populated with a dozen buildings: a Tartar tent, aviary, Palladian bridge, column, Temple of Love, Chinese pagoda...

As he did for the interiors of the château, Charles de Beistegui asked Alexandre Serebriakoff to create watercolor views of these follies, which are presented in this book.

Pierre-Arizzoli-Clémentel studies here the history of the follies in the Groussay park. His research on their origins, Charles de Beistegui’s sources of inspiration, and the evolution of the various projects is illustrated with watercolor paintings by Alexandre Serebriakoff and numerous archival documents. He also examines unrealized or abandoned projects, many of which are still unknown to the public today.

With this work, Pierre-Arizzoli-Clémentel completes his study cycle on great decorators, a series that began with Émilio Terry in 2013, Georges Geffroy in 2016, and "Groussay" in 2019.

Published by GOURCUFF GRADEN