Versailles Local Customs

The men who built a Castle for France, yes , I want to tell you in my normal brief manners of the men sometimes forgotten who created this masterpiece,and to see their work of arts elsewhere too. So I begin,

Jules Hardouin-Mansart 51646-1708) the great Architect. stone mason of origin, taught architecture by Libéral Bruant, create the designs for the chateau de clagny (today gone, but it is where the marche de notre dame is now) who was dedicated to his favorite Madame de Montespan. He takes over the works in Versailles in 1678; first architect of the king from 1681 and superintendant of the kings buildings from 1685. He builts the wings central=midi and Nord=north, the horse stables =écuries, the Orangerie, and the Grand Trianon all in 6 months!!! He ,also,started the construction of the royal chapel=Chapelle Royale of Versailles; but could not see it finish. He ,also, renovated the place des victoires and the place Vendome in Paris, die in Marly (my dep Yvelines 78) in 1708 full of honors!

Charles Le Brun 51619-1690) the great decorator.
born in Paris,father sculptor ,learn from the masters Simon Vouet and François Perrier. Spent several years in Italy studying the classical sculptures and the painting ,meets his master Nicolas Poussin there. He works in the decoration of the castle Vaux-le-Vicomte, leave after the owner is disgrace by the King, and comes to work for him as director of the manufacture des Gobelins (royal tapestries ). He becomes the first painter of the king and later director of the Royal Academy. He was responsable for the interior decoration of the castle of Versailles, especially the galerie des glaces=hall of mirrors.

André Le Notre (1613-1700), the sculptor of gardens
He was the gardener of Louis XIV from 1645 to 1700. He suceed his father Jean Le Notre as gardener of the jardin des tuileries. Creates the gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte for Nicolas Fouquet,which after his disgrace by the King, Le Notre is taken to improve the gardens at Versailles. From a difficult agricultural field this sculptor of gardens creates the paradise we see today , a classic French garden. He ,also, creates the gardens of Chantilly,Saint-Germain-en-Laye,Fontainebleau, and the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris.

Ange-Jacques Gabriel (1698-1782) the works master
From 1730 he replaces Robert de Cotte, first architect of the king and director of the Royal Academy of Architecture from 1742. He builts the Place Royale in Bordeaux (today its called de la Bourse), works in Compiégne, Fontainebleau, and the Place de la Concorde,Ecole Militaire in Paris. His masterpiece in Versailles is the Petit Trianon. After this he becomes like Le Brun, the master decorator in Versailles under Louis XV. There he, also, renovates the Royal Apartments in the first floor. His last contributions were the Library of Louis XVI and the Royal Opera.

Robert de Cotte (1656-1735) the succesor of Mansart.
Great architect in the line of Mansart, he becomes also his brother-in-law and principal collaborator. He was name first architect by the king in 1708 ,and built the Chapel of the castle of Versailles. His talents are well known throughtout Europe,and he starts construction of the castles of Bonn, Poppelsdorf,Bruhl,and Schleissheim near Munich. He designs the plans for the construction of castle de Rivoli, and the Hunting pavillion of the hunting=Venerie sp? near Turin.

Richard Mique (1728-1794) the last Architect.
born in Nancy, he in the service in architecture of the king Stanislas (Poland) Duke of Lorraine, and father of the queen of France Marie Leszczynska. He participate in the renovations of the cities of Nancy and Luneville. The queen ordered him the construction of a convent in Versailles. Marie-Antoinette in turns, gives him many works, such as the Hameau. He suceeded Ange-Jacques Gabriel as first architect of the king Louis XVI, and the principal master for all works done in Versailles. In July 7, 1794 he is sentence to die by the revolutionary tribunal and he is guillotine the next day.

Great men, hope you look their work out when in France .

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Versailles Local Customs

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