Louvre, Bernini Project (unbuilt)
Bernini, Gian Lorenzo
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Date
1664-1665Description
The Louvre project was commissioned in 1664 at the height of Bernini’s fame by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, in his capacity as Louis XIV’s Surintendant des Bâtiments. It was intended to provide a structure to close off the fourth (east) side of the famous Cour Carrée, its outer façade to be the monumental entrance to the palace complex. Bernini produced a series of designs, the final two developed from his Roman palazzi. Although work was begun on foundations while Bernini was in Paris from June to October 1665, the resolutely Italianate quality of his final design, its lack of internal convenience and the intrigues of the French court architects and their supporters meant that it was quietly abandoned when Louis XIV turned his attention away from Paris to his château at Versailles. elevations (drawing), First Scheme
Type of Work
PalaceSubject
Louis XIV, King of France, 1638-1715, Unbuilt projects, Louvre (Paris, France), Royal palaces, Curvilinear, Architecture, Baroque, Architecture, Italian, Drawing, Baroque, Architecture, French, Colbert, Jean Baptiste, 1619-1683
Rights Statement
All rights reserved
Item is Part of
102295