The French revolution is over. You lost!
A French heir of Louis XIV has taken the current management of his ancestor’s palace to court to ban an exhibition by modern US artist Jeff Koons that he feels dishonours his family’s illustrious past. …
On Wednesday, judges at Versailles’ administrative court were examining [a demand by Prince Charles-Emmanuel de Bourbon-Parme] for an emergency injunction to halt the show, which his suit brands “a desecration and an attack on the respect due to the dead.”
His complaint cites what he terms “right immemorial” of all mankind to see its forefathers respected and to have a “right of access to their heritage without pornographic restraint.”
Republican France of course does not recognize titles of nobility, or royalty for that matter. Prince Charles-Emmanuel de Bourbon-Parme is, under French law, just some guy. It would seem that, unless French law really does recognize some right immemorial to access one’s heritage without pornographic restraint, the Prince would need to file an action to clear title to Versailles.
The very little knowledge I have of continental law comes from representing a French building products company in a class action over allegedly defective siding, but I’m sure France has some analogue to the doctrine of adverse possession under American or British common law. The Prince, it would appear, has a hard road ahead if he wishes to recover some small part of his patrimony.
As for Jeff Koons, and his allegedly pornographic art, you may view it here. I have a four year old niece of whom I’m quite fond, and I’ll bet she’d love a Jeff Koons reproduction. Evidently standards for what constitutes pornography among French ex-royalty are pretty loose.
6 Comments
I don’t know what’s on display in this exhibition, but Koons most certainly does do some art that would be considered pornographic by anybody’s standards. See e.g. certain pieces in his “Made in Heaven” series from the early 90’s. They’re sculptures of he and his then-wife in flagrante.
NWS: http://www.jeffkoons.com/site/mainbarart_mih_7.html
Jeff Koons is no Robert Mapplethorpe, BP, though I can see why that would upset some people.
The court is to enforce respect to the same man (Louis XIV) who regularly held important meetings whilst taking a s**t on his toilet?
From History of the World, Part 1
“Sometimes it’s good to be the king”
BP, looking at my earlier comment, I can see that it could be taken in two ways. To be perfectly clear, I mean that I can see why the Koons piece to which you linked might upset people if displayed in a public place open to children, such as Versailles.
None of that changes my thoughts on the suit of course.
Don’t the French still use the Napoleonic code? Apres moi, le deluge..