'Monkey Room' at Chantilly restored to 18th-century glory

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

CHANTILLY, France (AFP) — Fans of aristocratic opulence are in for a bizarre but spectacular treat with the restoration of the "Grand Monkey Room" at the French chateau of Chantilly, seen as one of the finest examples of the 18th-century penchant for "chinoiserie".

The 30 square-metre (about 320 square feet) boudoir, which reopens to the public this week, is entirely covered from floor to ceiling -- including the ceiling -- with paintings of monkeys dressed as humans and engaged in human activities.

Few examples of this fashion remain. The room at Chantilly had fallen into disrepair, along with much of the estate north of Paris where a 20-year restoration effort is being financed in part by the Aga Khan, one of the world's richest men and spiritual leader of the 15...