Avatar: TatianaDokuchic Varriale
VW: Second Life
Location: Ottawa, ON
Country: CA
VW: Second Life
Location: Ottawa, ON
Country: CA
Ange-Jacques Gabriel: Louis XV's Premier Architect
Ange-Jacques Gabriel (October 23, 1698 January 4, 1782) was born into a family of great architects, succeeding his father, Jacques Gabriel, as the premier architect of France in 1742.
During his tenure he oversaw the transition from the ornate Rococo period to the order & simplicity of Neoclassicism driven by the belief that progress depends upon reason and discipline.
His love of symmetry and classical proportion is reflected in many of his creations from the minute French Pavilion (completed 1750) to the enormous Chteau de Versailles (including extensive palace renovations starting in 1735 & the addition of the Royal Opera 1769-1770).
For me, one of the many delights of re-creating his buildings are discovering the false doors which have been placed "just so" to maintain the symmetrical appearance of a room. Equally fascinating are the "secret" doors that are blended into the walls for the same reason. I stumbled upon this technique for the first time while constructing The Billard Room of the Petit Trianon.
I can't help but wonder if Gabriel was also responsible for creating the Chaise Volante of Versailles?
Not many architects had a similar impact on the course of history in the 18th century . He was also responsible for the creation of the Place de Louis XV (now known as place de la concorde and the famous gabriel wing in versailles (which can also be seen in SL). There were also plans to refurbish the town side of Versailles in a more classical style - these plans however never saw the day due to lack of money...as always.
I love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love (etc.) him. I secretly call him "Ange". Tee hee.
He's one of my all-time favourite architects as well. I've been wanting to start a little series on architects and he was my obvious place to begin.
Researching him was a lot of fun. Of course I knew about the Petit Trianon and Versailles but I hadn't realized he had also been involved with Compigne and the htels particuliersin the Place de la Concorde.
Yes, Constance the "Ange" certainly suits him!
Another brilliant post, thank your enlightening us on this glorious figure. I absolutely adore his work, and it inspires my free hand (and quite poor) buildings I like to toy with. I like his use of secret doors, as it allows easyaccess, quick entry, or an even quicker get away...perfect when the air is thick with to much power,perfume, and otherodors...shudders.. The Petite Trianon is his most famous work, but we must not neglect his other works, as you said theChteau de Compigne, thePlace de la Concorde and it'shtel particuliers in it, but also the Opera of Versailles, which is a gem!
I love the idea of doing some series of Architects! A wonderful idea!