Victor louis 1731-1800
Institution:
Paris 4Disciplines:
Directors:
Abstract EN:
This research is based on the study of any buildings still extant, of archives, original plans and figured documents, which allow us to understand louis motivations, his creative methods, and original state of the works. With this we have been able to trace the architect's biography and to carry out the technical and artistical analysis of his works. Louis's career was very prolific until the french revolution, but was later virtually suspended. His creations enable us to apprehend an artistic temperament rather than to define a style. Rejected by the academy architects because of his ties with marechal de richelieu and the duc d'orleans, he was called upon by private clients who he satisfied with versatility. Champion of the "greek fashion" in decoration strongly influenced by palladio, michelangelom vignola, bernini and piranesi, he astered the french master masons tradition, while skilfully employing techniques foreshadowing the 19th century.
Abstract FR:
L'enquete repose sur l'etude des edifices lorsqu'ils subsistent, sur les archives, les plans originaux, les documents figures permettant de connaitre les motivations de louis, les modalites des creations et l'etat primitif des oeuvres. Nous avons reconstitue a partir de cette documentation, la vie de l7architecte et mene a bien l'analyse technique et artistique de ses oeuvres. La carriere de louis, tres feconde jusqu'a la revolution, a ete pratiquement interrompue a partir de ce moment ses creations permettent de saisir un temperament artistique plus que de definir un style. Rejete par les architectes de l'academie a cause de ses liens avec le marechal de richelieu pui le duc d'orleans, il a ete largement sollicite par une clientele privee qu'il a su satisfaire avec souplesse. Tenant du gout "a la grecque" pour la decoration, fortement marque par palladio, michel-ange, vignole, le bernin et piranese, il maitrise la tradition francaise des maitres-macons et sait en meme temps, user avec intelligence de techniques annoncant le 19e siecle.