Chapter 10: The French Renaissance - Neoclassic

 Chapter 10: The French Renaissance - Neoclassic

The French periods are made up of the early, middle, late renaissance. During these time periods many different styles were adapted such as the baroque style, the regency style, Rococo style, neoclassical, revolution style and after some time, the restoration styles. During these times is when art, architecture and design shifted from strictly Gothic to an overlap of successive styles.

The Francois is a very transitional style that uses Gothic forms with Italian renaissance ornament. The style was based on Francois I, a Patron of the Arts who promoted the renaissance by attracting famous Italian artists to work for him. Francois was known as the King of Chateau, as most of his architecture pieces are such. The Francois style extended to the interior. The designs, medieval in form, were seen in the carved surfaces, elongated nude decorations and figures, and usually made of walnut wood. They used upholstered chairs of silk, velvet, tapestry, as well as tables of Italian influence with inlays and beds with canopy curtains and carved details. 

Chateau de Blois

This building, constructed as an Italian prototype, is an asymmetrical organization of openings. The depressed arches, low-relief ornamentation, classical pilasters, entablatures, and grand staircase speaks to the incredible facade. 

Chateau de Chambord

This work of architecture was built by Francois and designed by Leonardo Da Vinci as a sort of hunting lodge. Its medieval structure is decorated in a Renaissance style. It has magnificent chimneys and dormer windows, as well as a double staircase that starts at opposite ends but never meets.

Chateau de Fontainebleau

This Chateau, made also to be a small hunting lodge, transformed into one of the greatest palaces in Europe. Francois set a fashion in the decoration that was later imitated throughout Europe. The Gallery of Henry II is an interior space in the Chateau de Fontainebleau that uses the Francois style. It is known for the remarkable fresco paints, wood paneling, and massive coffered ceilings in geometric patterns. Italian artists, architects and designers have created in it a number of paintings, sculptures, and high relief stucco ornament. 

The French Renaissance also became a time where religious structures were not needed. Instead, palaces and chateaux were quite popular and the details of exterior became extremely important. The climate and weather conditions required the buildings to be constructed with steep roofs, multiple chimneys, and many large windows. The architecture was detailed with carvings of caryatids (females) and telamones (males).

The furniture was also very unique to the time period of history. The dressoir was popular as a type of cabinet. It had early renaissance designs and hinged doors on tops. The Armoire a Deux Corps is another piece of furniture. It is a renaissance cupboard of two parts, a smaller cupboard towards the top, and a larger cupboard in the lower section. This piece, just like the last, was very detailed and had intricate carving work. 

My Favorite current applications:

The Francois Bed: made after the Francois style and represents French Renaissance architecture

The Wrought Iron chair: another piece of furniture inspired by the French Renaissance era 

A desk inspired by the Francois style with regency style

One step further:

Francois I was a king of France that encouraged the development of architecture and design. He hired many famous artists, architects, and sculptors to create his buildings and produce the masterpieces that we identify today as French Renaissance architecture. Francois I had his hand in the architecture in which he attracted many other renowned artists to create. He loved and celebrated humanism and showed as much in his architecture through the paints and sculptures. During his reign and through the architecture he created, there was an increase of cultural changes and growth of power in France. 

Extra links:

• https://olivialongueville.com/2020/09/12/king-francois-i-of-france-a-godfather-of-the-french-renaissance/