Le petit Trianon

The first collection Le Petit Trianon, is set in a chateau in San Francisco with a fascinating history. Built in 1904 by Marcus Simon Koshland and Corinne Schweitzer whose marriage brought together two prominent Jewish families, who were part of the pioneering, gold-rush-era merchant class. On a trip to France, Corinne fell in love with the Palace of Versailles, and especially with the Petit Trianon, a chateau situated on the palace grounds. Built between 1762 and 1768, the Petit Trianon was built by the order of Louis XV for his long-term mistress, Madame de Pompadour. Channeling her “inner Marie Antoinette”, Corinne, in similar fashion, hired architect Frank S. Van Trees to replicate the Petit Trianon. Indeed, the Washington Street facade faithfully replicates the west or garden facade of the French original.

Artists featured in the interiors are Lothar Gotz, Jim Lambie, Richard Patterson, Katy Grannan, Hans Op de Beeck, Zac Ove, Wolfe von Lenkiewicz, Enrico Castellani, Kate MccGwire, Davino Semo and Agostino Bonalumi.  The exterior roof and garden sculpture is by Conrad Shawcross.