Georges Closson
Encyclopedia
Georges Alexandre Closson (1865, Reims
– 1945, Paris
) was a French architect
.
Closson studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts
, developing a traditional design style that emphasized a neo-Gothic character, sometimes influenced by his work in Egypt
. Closson did, however, take advantage of advances in the use of reinforced concrete and incorporated the technology into his otherwise traditional church designs.
, a new city in the desert near Cairo
commenced in 1905. Closson worked with chief architect Alexandre Marcel
for developer Édouard Louis Joseph Empain. Closson also executed Marcel's competition-winning design for a memorial chapel commemorating the Battle of the Marne
at Dormans
, built between 1921 and 1931.
In 1926 Closson won a design competition for the new Basilica of Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc
in Paris over a competing design by Auguste Perret
. The rejection of Perret's ambitious modern design in favor of Closson's more conservative design became a subject of controversy. Closson's design was itself less archeologically correct, nearer in style to the contemporary Église Saint-Pierre-de-Chaillot by Émile Bois. The new basilica was partially completed between 1928 and 1940. Constructio was suspended by the Second World War
. The church was completed in the 1960s to a more modern design by Pierre Isnard.
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
– 1945, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
) was a French architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
.
Biography
Closson's father, François Closson (1831 – 1874) was a contract metal worker, while his mother, Marie-Emilie Denis (1837 – 1921) was an architect. Closson married Marie-Geneviève Dissard (1868 – 1949) in Paris. Their children were Jean-Emile (1896 – 1940), an architect, and Paul-Charles (1900 – 1973), a chemical engineer.Closson studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
, developing a traditional design style that emphasized a neo-Gothic character, sometimes influenced by his work in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. Closson did, however, take advantage of advances in the use of reinforced concrete and incorporated the technology into his otherwise traditional church designs.
Works
Closson participated in the design of HeliopolisHeliopolis (Cairo Suburb)
Modern Heliopolis is a district in Cairo, Egypt. The city was established in 1905 by the Heliopolis Oasis Company, headed by the Belgian industrialist Édouard Louis Joseph, Baron Empain, as well as Boghos Nubar, son of the Egyptian Prime Minister Nubar Pasha.-History:The Baron Empain, a well known...
, a new city in the desert near Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
commenced in 1905. Closson worked with chief architect Alexandre Marcel
Alexandre Marcel
Alexandre Marcel was a French architect, best known for his Belle Époque interpretations of "exotic" international architectural styles.Marcel studied at the Parisian École des Beaux-Arts in the atelier of Louis-Jules André...
for developer Édouard Louis Joseph Empain. Closson also executed Marcel's competition-winning design for a memorial chapel commemorating the Battle of the Marne
Battle of the Marne
There were two Battles of the Marne, taking place near the Marne River in Marne, France during World War I:* First Battle of the Marne * Second Battle of the Marne...
at Dormans
Dormans
Dormans is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France.-Twin towns — Sister cities:Dormans is twinned with: Dorsten, Germany - Further reading :...
, built between 1921 and 1931.
In 1926 Closson won a design competition for the new Basilica of Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc
Basilica of Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc (Paris)
The Basilica of Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc is located on the Rue de Torcy and the Rue de la Chapelle in the quartier de la Chapelle of Paris' 18th arrondissement. Its design was the subject of a contentious design competetition...
in Paris over a competing design by Auguste Perret
Auguste Perret
Auguste Perret was a French architect and a world leader and specialist in reinforced concrete construction. In 2005 his post-WWII reconstruction of Le Havre was declared by UNESCO one of the World Heritage Sites....
. The rejection of Perret's ambitious modern design in favor of Closson's more conservative design became a subject of controversy. Closson's design was itself less archeologically correct, nearer in style to the contemporary Église Saint-Pierre-de-Chaillot by Émile Bois. The new basilica was partially completed between 1928 and 1940. Constructio was suspended by the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The church was completed in the 1960s to a more modern design by Pierre Isnard.