BUIE HARWOODBRIDGET MAYCURT SHERMAN
An Integrated History to the Present
Chapter 23
Louis XVI and French Provincial
1774 – 1789
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
H. EARLY NEOCLASSICAL
Renewed interest in classical antiquity
- International style begins in Rome, 1740s
Outgrowth of scholarship & archaeology, reaction to Rococo
- Strong theoretical base
Tries to imitate or evoke images of Ancient Greece & Rome
Regards antiquity differently than before
- Divides it into different periods & styles with different visual characteristics
- Uses various traits to solve present design problems
Main impetus—excavations at Pompeii & Herculaneum
- Fills gap in classical knowledge—domestic interiors
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
Louis XVI and French Provincial
Louis XVI returns to classicism
- Rejection of Rococo
- Response to interest in Classical antiquity
Architecture
- Severe & monumental or graceful & elegant
Interiors, furniture, decorative arts
- Maintain charm & scale of Rococo
- Lines straighten, free-for curves become geometric, ornament again from Antiquity
French Provincial—architecture, interiors, furnishings of middle class and peasants
- Simplified high styles with emphasis on function
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
CONCEPTS
In 1730s, critics attack Rococo for its artificiality & lack of classical order
- Symptomatic of depraved society
- Call for classicism that is rational, truthful, natural or derived from nature based upon ideas of Enlightenment
- Insist that association with ideal architecture of Antiquity will engender exemplary French citizens
Unsettled times create desire for stability seen in order, repose, & other classical attributes
Pompeii & Herculaneum inspire renewed interest in classical past
- Architects study ancient buildings & publish findings, giving Neoclassicism a sound theoretical base
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
CHARACTERISTICS AND MOTIFS
Light scale, rational planning, mathematical proportions, straight lines, geometric forms
Classical attributes, forms, & details in architecture, interiors, furniture
- Called goût grec or goût arabesque
Motifs—Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Egyptian sources; garlands, swags, frets, palmettes, classical figures, urns, sphinxes, balloons after first successful balloon flight in 1783
- Some Rococo motifs, themes continue—flowers, bouquets of flowers, shepherds, shepherdesses, farm tools, musical instruments, Chinoiserie, singerie
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-1. Motifs: Vase in porcelaine dure de Sèvres; decorated by Boizot and Thomire; designs for marquetry panel vignettes, c. late 18th century; by Pierre-Gabriel Bethault. Louis XVI.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
ARCHITECTURE
Had never completely rejected classical influences
Product of rationalist views of architects
- Geometric volumes, structural honesty, simplicity
Block-like structures with plain facades, minimal ornament
Scale—monumental to elegant & refined; proportions from ancient sources
Classical attributes give dignity, grandeur
More archaeologically correct than before
- First-hand study, publications
Assemblages of ancient motifs & some exact quotations of ancient buildings
- Result is clearly contemporary, not ancient
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
*23-2a. S. Geneviève (Panthéon), 1757-1790; Paris, France; Jacques-Germain Soufflot. Louis XVI. *Substitute image.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-2b. S. Geneviève (Panthéon), central crossing with dome, 1757-1790; Paris, France; Jacques-Germain Soufflot. Louis XVI.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
Classical balustrade at roof
Plain stone facade
Corinthian columns
Small scale, rectangular box
French Doors
Classical balustrade at terrace
Planned garden
Symmetry
*23-3a. Petit Trianon, 1761-1764; Versailles, France; Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Louis XVI. *[Substitute image]
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-3. Le Hameau, c. 1774-1783; Versailles, France; Richard Mique. Louis XVI.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
INTERIORS
Return to classicism in attributes & decoration
- Layout, modes of living remain same
Aristocracy still seeking luxury, comfort, pleasure
- Some try the (perceived) simplicity of ancient world, as long as it does not intrude on pleasure, comfort
Human scale, light proportions, charm of Rococo
Same floor, wall, ceiling treatments as Rococo
- Straight lines, geometric curves, classical motifs, details
Smaller, more intimate spaces
- Salon & dining room separate
Lighter, cooler colors
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-4. Cabinet-doré, Royal Apartments, Palais de Versailles, c. 1770s-1780s; Versailles, France. Louis XV/Rococo.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-7. Textile: Brocade; France. Louis XVI.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-8. Lighting: Flambeau, candelabra, applique, France. Louis XVI.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
FURNISHINGS AND DECORATIVE ARTS
Maintains Rococo’s light proportions, slender forms, human scale, comfort, some motifs
Straight lines, geometric curves, classical motifs
- Circles, ovals, ellipses
Simple rectangles with ornament softening outlines
Articulation of parts in classical manner
- Re-entrant corner with rosette in center
Late in period large areas of plain mahogany
- New emphasis on simplicity
All Rococo types continue; new are tables based upon Pompeiian types
Practice of design furniture for specific spaces continues
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-10. Fauteuils showing various tapestry cover designs; c. late 18th century; France. Louis XVI
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-12. Canapé with tapestry cover. France. Louis XVI.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-13. Table in bronze give by Marie Antoinette to Madam de Polignac; France. Louis XVI.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
FRENCH PROVINCIAL: CONCEPTS & ARCHITECTURE
Provincial or rustique or régional—houses, interiors, furnishings of peasants & bourgeoisie in rural France
- Reign of Louis XIII-French Empire
Inspired & influenced by court or high styles
Simpler, less refined in design, construction, decoration
Less dependent on rank & display, regional varieties
Architecture—medium sized mansions to one-room cottages
Function & tradition over style or design principles
Local stone, brick, wood, plaster
Roofs—thatch, tile, shingles
Grander homes follow prevailing styles
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
INTERIORS, FURNISHINGS & DEC. ARTS
Most interiors simply treated
- Floors—dirt, stone, brick or wood
- Walls—paneling, textile hangings, wallpaper, painted decoration
- Rugs, curtains rare
Furniture adapts form, contours, ornamentation of court styles to regional needs & preferences
- Comfort, convenience, economy over fashion, human scale, less ornament
- Simple construction, carving main decoration, regional differences
- Louis XV—adapts well to provincial so dominate style
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-16. Salle de ferme; d’Ille-et-Vilaine; France. French Provincial.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
26-17. Bedroom of Elénore de Warns, Le Charmettes, Savoie; furniture from Louis XIII, Louis XV, and Louis XVI periods, and early 19th century; France. French Provincial.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-18. Louis XVI-style chaises à capucines. French Provincial.
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-19. Louis XV Commode, c. 1780; France. French Provincial
Chapter 23: Louis XVI and French Provincial 26.*
©2011 Pearson EducationUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the PresentBuie Harwood, Bridget May, and Curt Sherman
23-21. Louis XV chair, buffet, panetière, and various utensils. French Provincial
