Architecture

French Baroque architecture

French Baroque architecture, referred to as Classicism in France (French: classicisme) and more broadly in stylistic analysis when contrasted to its European Baroque counterparts, was a style of architecture that marked the reigns of Louis XIII (1610–1643), Louis XIV (1643–1715) and Louis XV (1715–1774). It was preceded by French Renaissance architecture and Mannerism and was followed in the second half of the 18th century by French Neoclassical architecture. Although it historically belongs to the Baroque period, it distances itself from its stylistic grammar: originally inspired by Italian Baroque architecture, it was characterized, particularly under Louis XIV, by harmonious sobriety, monumental regularity, and ornamental clarity, having among its main features the colossal order of façades, and the use of colonnades and cupolas, to symbolize the power and grandeur of the King. Notable examples of French Classicism include the east façade of the Louvre, the Grand Trianon of the Palace of Versailles, and the dome of Les Invalides as well as the greater part of Paris architecture in the era of absolutism. In the final years of Louis XIV and the reign of Louis XV, the colossal orders gradually disappeared, the style became lighter and saw the introduction of wrought iron decoration in rocaille designs. The period also saw the introduction of monumental urban squares in Paris and other cities, notably Place Vendôme and the Place de la Concorde. The style profoundly influenced 18th-century secular architecture throughout Europe; the Palace of Versailles and the French formal garden were copied by other courts all over Europe.

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See also

• ▸Church of the Gesù
• ▸Chimonanthus
• ▸100 King Street

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