French Baroque Architecture

Question 1

Chateau of Vaux le Vicomte

Answer 1

Louis le Vau from 1656-61

• Louis le Vau was the architect of the chateau
• Charles le Brun was the interior designer of chateau
• Andre le Notre was in charge of the chateau’s gardening and landscape
• Nicolas Fouquet was the head of finances for the chateau and the patron
• The chateau survives as the most complete ensemble of architecture, painting, sculpture, and landscape from the French Baroque

Question 2

Palace of Versailles

Answer 2

Louis Le Vau from 1660-78 in France

• Le Vau was the first architect and Jules Hardouin-Mansart was his successor
• All the government functions of France took place within the palace
• Mansart was responsible for the Hall of Mirrors which is where court ceremonies took place
• Became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979
• Commissioned by Louis XIV

Question 3

Charles I at the Hunt

Answer 3

Anthony van Dyck from 1635 in England

• Charles I was self-conscious about his height so the artist made him look taller and more confident
• Links to ancient Equestrian statues and shows Charles I’s power off a horse
• Presents an image of a king during a time of peace rather than war
• Currently in the Louvre in Paris
• Anthony was a courtly painter for Charles I

Question 4

The King Drinks!

Answer 4

Jacob Jordaens from 1640-45 in Belgium

• One of the five versions Jacob did of the painting
• Conveys the message to not behave lavishly during the Eastern season
• Depicts the Flemish holiday, the Epiphany, which takes place on January 6
• Currently in the Museum of Art History in Vienna, Austria