Louis Métezeau (1559 – 18 August 1615) was a French architect. [1]
Métezeau was born in Dreux, Eure-et-Loir, and died in Paris. He was the son of Thibault Métezeau, the brother of Clément II Métezeau [2] and the nephew of Jean Métezeau. [1] The register of the city of Dreux refers to him as architecte du roi et contrôleur des bâtiments royaux. [3]
Métezeau probably undertook the construction of the Grande Galerie of the Louvre [4] (the eastern section is traditionally attributed to him) [5] and may have designed the Petite Galerie. [3] He may also have conceived the Place des Vosges in Paris. [2] An archival discovery of 1984 led some historians to name Louis Métezeau as the architect of the Hôtel d'Angoulême. [6] It is now suggested that Louis' father, Thibault Métezeau, more likely designed it. [7] [8]
Métezeau was probably involved in the building of the Palais du Luxembourg for Marie de Medicis: she is believed to have sent him to Florence in 1611 to make drawings of the Palazzo Pitti, which was to be used as a model by the regent's order. [9]
At his death, Métezeau was identified as Premier Architecte du Roi of Henry IV of France. [10] [11]
Louis Métezeau (1559 – 18 August 1615) was a French architect. [1]
Métezeau was born in Dreux, Eure-et-Loir, and died in Paris. He was the son of Thibault Métezeau, the brother of Clément II Métezeau [2] and the nephew of Jean Métezeau. [1] The register of the city of Dreux refers to him as architecte du roi et contrôleur des bâtiments royaux. [3]
Métezeau probably undertook the construction of the Grande Galerie of the Louvre [4] (the eastern section is traditionally attributed to him) [5] and may have designed the Petite Galerie. [3] He may also have conceived the Place des Vosges in Paris. [2] An archival discovery of 1984 led some historians to name Louis Métezeau as the architect of the Hôtel d'Angoulême. [6] It is now suggested that Louis' father, Thibault Métezeau, more likely designed it. [7] [8]
Métezeau was probably involved in the building of the Palais du Luxembourg for Marie de Medicis: she is believed to have sent him to Florence in 1611 to make drawings of the Palazzo Pitti, which was to be used as a model by the regent's order. [9]
At his death, Métezeau was identified as Premier Architecte du Roi of Henry IV of France. [10] [11]