Maurizio Cattelan’s controversial exhibition at Blenheim Palace – Victory is Not an Option just closed his doors; however, I was lucky to visit it!
The Italian art prankster redecorated Winston Churchill’s birthplace with an 18-carat loo, some gigantic union jacks, a taxidermy horse hanging from the ceiling, and Hitler on his knees.
18 works from Cattelan were displayed throughout the 18th century Palace.
The Great Court
A great walkaway, pictured above, of British Union Jacks flags leads up to the Palace, welcoming you on arrival.
Luckily, I couldn’t have been more blessed by the great weather conditions to enjoy the handsome gardens.
Maurizio Cattelan’s exhibition inside the Palace
Below a couple of selection of works from Cattelan. An exhibition which is not for the faint-hearted.
Clockwise: Taxidermy horse in the Red Drawing Room; Unusual self portrait in the Green Drawing Room; Adolf hitler in the Long Library.
The gardens
The Palace is set in two thousand acres of parkland and formal gardens and as generation follows generation, successive Dukes have introduced their personal touch by each adding new styles and layers of beauty to the landscape.
Learn more about the exhibition >> Maurizio Cattelan at Blenheim Palace
About Blenheim Palace
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, Blenheim Palace attracts close to a million visitors a year from all over the world. The Palace was a gift from Queen Anne to the 1st Duke of Marlborough, following his decisive victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.
The Palace, which took almost thirty years to reach completion, was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh to function not only as a private house, but also a monument, castle, and citadel; a testament of England’s supremacy over the French in a blaze of architectural glory that would rival Versailles.
Steeped in British history, the Palace is also famous as the birthplace of the distinguished wartime Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, who was himself a member of the family and descendant of the 1st Duke. Handed down through successive generations, the Palace today continues to be privately owned and is the official seat of the current and 12th Duke of Marlborough.
Visit Blenheim Palace