In 16921693, French-Dutch architect Daniël Marot created a breathtaking illusionistic staircase at Paleis Het Loo, with painted columns, balustrades and dreamlike landscapes, brought to life by court painter Robbert Duval. This grand staircase served as a majestic entrance, instantly marking the palace as a royal domain. Over time, the paintings deteriorated and were covered, until Queen Wilhelmina commissioned a grand restoration around 1900. Artist Willem Fabri meticulously reconstructed the decorations on large canvases, enriching them with allegories of the hunt, harvest and fishing, framed by oak leaves, orange branches and royal emblems. Today, the monumental staircase remains a masterpiece of Dutch decorative painting.
This richly illustrated publication offers insight into the original baroque design and its 20th-century restoration, in conjunction with a dedicated exhibition at Paleis Het Loo in April 2026.
A must-read for anyone interested in Dutch royal heritage, baroque art, and the enduring power of illusion in interior design.
