With his neck extended and mouth open, this wide-eyed dragon adorning the reflecting pool at the Grand Trianon commands attention. His muscular, winged body almost completely fills the frame of Eugène Atget's photograph, conveying a vigorous presence.
The Grand Trianon, built by Louis XIV in 1668, provided a place of refuge for the royal family, away from the rigid etiquette observed at the palace of Versailles. The king often hosted concerts and suppers for selected guests at this retreat.