Premier Architecte du Roi
Encyclopedia
The Premier Architecte du Roi was, under the Ancien Régime, the direct assistant to the general director of the building industries, arts and manufactures of France and, consequently, number 2 of the Bâtiments du Roi
, forming part of the Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi
.
was in charge of the design of the Place de la Concorde
chosen from the best ideas submitted to the contest by the participants.
But this position entailed especially important administrative responsibilities, in this capacity of master builder of the projects ordered by the Bâtiments du Roi: it had the responsibilities of arranging the construction contracts for the contractors and the craftsmen, of supervising the management of supply stores (marbles, leads, etc), of inspecting the building sites, of proceeding the reception of the works, etc.
s, generally members of the Académie royale d'architecture. Il was disposed also of accounting officers and clerks. It had the supervision of the stewardship of Water and Fontaines, charged since the 17th century by the family of Francine.
Bâtiments du Roi
The Bâtiments du Roi was a division of Department of the household of the Kings of France in France under the Ancien Régime. It was responsible for building works at the King's residences in and around Paris.-History:...
, forming part of the Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi
Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi
The Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi was the secretary of state in France during the "Ancien Régime" and Bourbon Restoration in charge of the Département de la Maison du Roi...
.
Responsibilities
The Premier Architecte du Roi was, in theory, in charge of the works of maîtrise d'œuvre on behalf of the building industries of King. Hence, Ange-Jacques GabrielAnge-Jacques Gabriel
Ange-Jacques Gabriel was the most prominent French architect of his generation.Born to a Parisian family of architects and initially trained by the royal architect Robert de Cotte and his father , whom he assisted in the creation of the Place Royale at Bordeaux , the younger Gabriel...
was in charge of the design of the Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde
The Place de la Concorde in area, it is the largest square in the French capital. It is located in the city's eighth arrondissement, at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées.- History :...
chosen from the best ideas submitted to the contest by the participants.
But this position entailed especially important administrative responsibilities, in this capacity of master builder of the projects ordered by the Bâtiments du Roi: it had the responsibilities of arranging the construction contracts for the contractors and the craftsmen, of supervising the management of supply stores (marbles, leads, etc), of inspecting the building sites, of proceeding the reception of the works, etc.
Organization
The Premier architecte du Roi was assisted by general intendants and controllers, draughtsmen, a general inspector - all selected among the most distinguished architectArchitect
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...
s, generally members of the Académie royale d'architecture. Il was disposed also of accounting officers and clerks. It had the supervision of the stewardship of Water and Fontaines, charged since the 17th century by the family of Francine.
Chronological list of Premiers Architectes du Roi
- ? -1615 : Louis MétezeauLouis MétezeauLouis Métezeau was a French architect.He was born in Dreux, Eure-et-Loir, the son of Thibault Métezeau, the brother of Clément II Métezeau and the nephew of Jean Métezeau. He was Premier Architecte du Roi of Henry IV of France. He undertook the construction of the Grande Galerie du Louvre and...
- 1639-1653 : Jacques LemercierJacques LemercierJacques Lemercier was a French architect and engineer, one of the influential trio that included Louis Le Vau and François Mansart who formed the classicizing French Baroque manner, drawing from French traditions of the previous century and current Roman practice the fresh, essentially French...
- 1653-1670 : Louis Le VauLouis Le VauLouis Le Vau was a French Classical architect who worked for Louis XIV of France. He was born and died in Paris.He was responsible, with André Le Nôtre and Charles Le Brun, for the redesign of the château of Vaux-le-Vicomte. His later works included the Palace of Versailles and his collaboration...
- 1681-1708 : Jules Hardouin-Mansart
- 1708-1734 : Robert de CotteRobert de CotteRobert de Cotte was a French architect-administrator, under whose design control of the royal buildings of France from 1699, the earliest notes presaging the Rococo style were introduced. First a pupil of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, he later became his brother-in-law and his collaborator...
- 1734-1742 : Jacques V Gabriel
- 1742-1775 : Ange-Jacques GabrielAnge-Jacques GabrielAnge-Jacques Gabriel was the most prominent French architect of his generation.Born to a Parisian family of architects and initially trained by the royal architect Robert de Cotte and his father , whom he assisted in the creation of the Place Royale at Bordeaux , the younger Gabriel...