FRENCH BAROQUE

French Baroque

 The style became an official architectural style in
France around 17th century to 18th century.

 During this time the capital was moved to Versailles.

 The period focused mainly on secular architecture-

palaces; this building were designed to show power,
magnificence and opulence.
 French Baroque

 During this time period, it was ruled by King Louis
XIV, also known as Le Roi Soleil or The Sun King.
 In his reign, the French became a standard of taste.
 French Baroque

 Other prominent figure of this
period:
 Nicholas Fouquet
• Minister of Finance; introduced
a centralized system for the
decorative arts, when he built
the Vaux-Le-Vicomte
 Jean Baptiste Colbert
• Also coordinated the
development of the decorative
arts for the monarchy.
• His first task was to re-build the
Louvre
Characteristics and Key Elements

 Architectonic layout continuous to be symmetric,
classical orders are widely used.

 Curved lines add a sense of motion to the structures.

 Exterior were sober, the interior were highly

ornamented with plenty of sculptures, paintings,
tapestries and ornaments such as moldings, wood
carvings and brass applications.
Characteristics and Key Elements

 Abundant windows allow
natural light and view of
surrounding gardens

 Landscape architecture
became important part of
architecture.
Palace of Versailles

 Palace of Versailles
(1703)

 As soon as Louis XIV got to the throne, he took this
palace as a symbol of the French monarchy.

 Originally it was a small castle, but the king ordered

its transformation first as a place to hold his parties,
then as his dwelling and finally as the capital of
France in 1703.

 Le Vau started the renovation and Mansart

concluded it after the first architect died.
 Palace of Versailles
(1703)

 The palace has a huge extension with hundreds of rooms
and it's built on a land of almost 2,000 acres. The building
has a well-defined base, noble floor and crowning.

 The exterior is very sober, magnificent and harmonious.

 The interiors are richly decorated, showing beautiful

pieces of art in every room, including the well-known hall
of mirrors.
Vaux-Le-Vicomte Palace

Vaux-Le-Vicomte Palace
(1661)

 This palace clearly shows the use of classical orders
in the exteriors and the importance given to the
gardens. These two elements would become the rule
for French Baroque architecture.

 This building gave a name to French architect Louis

Le Vau and it can be considered the predecessor of
Versailles, once Le Vau was named royal architect by
Louis XIV.
Les Invalides

 Les Invalides
(1676)

 This is one of the most rhythmic and dynamic pieces of
French architect Jules Hardouin Mansart.

 The building has a clearly defined Greek cross layout,

with four round chapels that are only accessible through
openings coming out from the tips of the cross.

 The most hierarchy is given to the central space. The

exterior facade also emphasizes the central space,
highlighting the entrance to the building.
REFERENCE:

BOOKS AND OTHER READING MATERIALS:

Bridge, Nicole. (2015). Architecture 101: A crash course in style, form and structure. USA:
Adams Media. pp 133-137.

Center for Designed Environment and Profession Inc. (2014). History of Art and Interior
Design. Philippines: CDEP. pp 36-37.

Weales, Mary Jo. (1982). Environmental Interiors. New York: Macmillan Publishing Inc. Co. pp
228-229

Ballantyne, Andrew. (2012). Key Buildings from Prehistory to the Present. London: Laurence
King Publiahing Ltd.

Juliao, David. (n.d.). French Baroque. Retrieved from

https://study.com/academy/lesson/french-baroque-architecture-characteristics-
examples.html

MEDIA CONTENT MATERIALS:

Hardy, Eemon (E. Producer).(2016).BBC: The Real Versailles. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf8Da04Fgwk