Apollo's gilded horses seem to burst from a mirror-calm reflecting pool in this atmospheric real-photo postcard of the Bassin d'Apollon at Versailles — the grand axis of Le Nôtre's gardens stretching away into an infinity of clipped trees behind the sculpture group. Jean-Baptiste Tuby's monumental bronze ensemble, cast 1668–1670 under Louis XIV's reign, depicts the sun god Apollo rising from the waters in his chariot drawn by four horses, attended by tritons and dolphins — a powerful allegory for the Sun King himself. The photograph is taken at a low angle that emphasizes the reflection of the statuary in the still water and the immense, tunnel-like perspective of the Grand Canal beyond — a composition that remained beloved by Versailles photographers for decades. Published officially by the Édition des Musées Nationaux (national museums publishing house), this card carries the prestigious "RF — Château de Versailles" seal, card number 38 in the park series.