French Period 1

In other countries interior design was determined by religious and political history of the eras and led by their leaders. The ruler's influence was most pervasive in Renaissance France. Royal "taste" determined design styles and France was central to the Romanesque and Gothic style. The Gothic period gave birth to more masterpieces than any other country. France suffered through difficult times throughout the Gothic and Renaissance periods. The Black death struck France in the middle of the 14th century, and the Hundred Years War was the same time period. This almost lead to the destruction of France's feudal nobility throughout the years 1337-1453 AD.
The French periods consist of 10 different subdivisions. These include:

• Early Renaissance from 1484-1547
• Charles VIII, Louis XII, Francios I
• Transitional- Gothic to Renaissance
• Middle Renaissance from 1547-1589
• Henry II, Francois II, Charles IX, Henry III
• Gradual elimination of Gothic forms
• Catherine de Medici dominates
• Late Renaissance from 1589-1643
• Henry IV, Louis XIII
• Italian Renaissance influence
• Edict of Nantes, 1589 - A landmark in the history of toleration and freedom. It provided that the Protestants might have liberty of conscience anywhere in France.
• Baroque Style from 1643-1700
• Louis XIV
• Golden Ages
• Edict fo Nantes revoked in 1685
• Regency Style from 1700-1730
• Beginning of economy
• Transitional
• Rococo Style from 1730-1760
• Louis XV
• Eliminates classical order
• Smaller curves
• Oriental influence
• Neoclassical Style from 1760-1789
• Louis XVI
• Revival of classical architectural orders
• Straight lines
• Adam influence
• Revolution and Directoire from 1789-1804
• Transistion
• Military motifs
• Smaller curves
• Oriental influence
• Empire from 1804-1820
• Napoleon
• Egyptian motifs
• Grecian and Roman decorations
• Restoration Styles from 1830-1879
• Louis XVIII, Charles X, Louis-Philippe
• Napoleon III
• Revivals of late 18th century
• Decline of good taste

Designing a luxurious room that was consistent and harmonious was a complex job. Supervising and implementing the task required a new type of professional. The ornamaniste or decorator was born. This position required a person that could not only conceive an interior design, but through the process of "engraving" explain the design to a client. The decorator supervise the artisans to produce the highest quality design.

Francois I was a famous patron of the arts. He had a transitional style consisting of gothic forms with Italian renaissance ornament. Some famous works include the Loire Valley, Chateau de Chambered, Chateau de Fontainebleau, Chateau de Blois, and the renovation of the Lourve to Renaissance style. 

Because there was no need for new religious structures, palaces and chateaux were built. For example, the Loire Valley is a park-like setting. Exteriors became important, and sprawling plans of chateaux were popular.

The weather required steep roofs, many chimneys, and many large windows. Roofs often had 2 slopes with dormer windows. During this time, the Mansard roof was designed by Francois Mansart, a French Baroque architect. However, it was typical that the interior did not reflect the exterior style.

Francois I began construction of the Chateau Chambord. This is a royal hunting lodge in the Loire Valley. It has 444 rooms, 84 staircases, 365 chimneys; the estate is 14,300 acres of forest, lakes and grassland enclosed by a 22 mile-long wall. It is the considered the largest and most majestic of the Chateaus. It was the meeting place of Francois I and Leonardo da Vinci. It is home to the famous double stair case attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. I was built by Francois I at the same time as his wing at Chateau de Blois. It is a medieval structure decorated in Renaissance style with our towers. It is partly designed by Leonardo da Vinci with magnificent chimneys, dormer windows, a double staircase that start at opposite sides and never meet. It also uses the fleur-de-lis as a design motif.

The Chateau de Fontainebleau has large structures, formal gardens, lakes, fountains, and elaborate interiors. This is a small hunting lodge transformed into one of the greatest palaces in Europe. It is 55 kilometers from Paris. Galerie Francois I set a fashion in decoration that was mated throughout Europe. It is designed by Italian artists, architects, and designers. It is full of paintings, sculptures, and high relief stucco ornament. There are carved wall panelings and coffered ceiling in geometric patterns. The Chateau de Fontainebleau was extensively remodeled by Francois I and pilasters decorate flat walls. The Francois I characteristics include:

• Medieval in form - square rugged designs
• lots of carved surfaces - continuation of late Gothic - massive in form
• decorative use of elongated nude and partially nude figures
• salamander - King's personal symbol
• "F" in monogram form

Henry II was the son of Francois I. He was married to Catherine de Medici. Catherine was inspired by Francois I. Henry II continued work on the Lourve. He established workshops and apartments for artisans in the Lourve that worked under royal patronage. These included painters, sculptors, goldsmiths, and cabinetmakers.

Chateau de Blois was inspired by Italian prototypes, had depressed arches, low-relief ornamentation, and asymmetrical organization of openings. The Henry IV bedroom had the initial "H" in the flooring. The exterior holds classical pilasters and entablatures. The Chateau's most renowned feature is the spiral in the Francois I wing. Kings Henry III and Henry IV lived here.

Past Examples:

Current Examples:

Extra Credit:

This is a tour of the Chateau de Fontainebleau:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7c3UtqBh-s

This a tour of the Chateau de Blois

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_YNlEKU8Rg

Peer Review:

Angie: I really like your images you provided, they add a lot to your blog post. I also think you did a good job of touching on the most important factors of the first French Period.
Claire: I like that you touched on the fact that this period was inspired by the royals "taste" because I feel that is one of the most important factors of this period.

The Spanish Renaissance

The Spanish Renaissance was during the 16th century and combined Christian with Moorish art. When they Moors finally left Spain in 1607 the production of handicrafts and commerce in southern Spain decreased. Design during this period was influenced by the Early Christians, Medieval, Moorish, and Italian Renaissance (which also influenced the French Renaissance as well). The Moors came from Africa and this group of people had some of the world's greatest geometricians. They incorporated colorful and fancy pieces into their design, they were expert wood workers, and incredible ornamentalists. The Mudejars were a group of Moors that converted to Christianity and became a part of the Spanish Christians.
La Alhambra:

• located in Granada, Spain
• built in 1354 
• last Spanish palace completes before expulsion of Moors
• plain exterior
• numerous courtyards, gardens, fountains, and reflecting pools

La Mota Castle:

• located in Medina de Campo
• built in 15th century by noble christian families
• concrete structure faces with brick

Granada Cathedral:

• 5 aisle building w/ Gothic vaulting and columns

Cathedral de Seville: 

• located in Andalusia, Spain
• largest cathedral of 15th century (larger than the Haggia Sophia)
• demonstrated wealth of city
• held 500+ daily masses

Plateresco phase:

• gothic/renaissance in construction
• delicate ornaments that resemble work of silversmith
• used on exteriors, patios, cures, public buildings, furniture, accessories

Desornamentado phase:

• unornamented designs
• characterized by austerity
• exhibited carefully defined proportions
• applied to courts, ecclesiastical and public buildings

Escorial:

• started by Phillip II in 1562 and completed by Juan de Herrara
• imitation of Temple of Solomon 
• included palace and religious house
• royal place for monarchy
• known for simplicity, sobriety, and plainness

Herrera Architecture:

• named after architect Juan de Herrera
• influenced by Italian renaissance architects like Palladio
• classic forms, plain surfaces, and sparse decorations
• horizontal unified compositions
• nude use of granite

Baroque style of churrugeresco:

• replaced desornamentado with something more passionate
• promoted by a family of craftsmen named Churriguera
• composed of sculptures, wood carvers, and architects
• surface decoration was applied to exterior doorways, interior decorations, and churches
• motifs were natural objects
• classical orders were used in unconvetional ways

Residential design

• influenced by Moorish design
• many modest rural houses were built
• decorations in patios, galleries, doorways, and windows were elaborate and contrasted plain walls
• most artistic features were iron grilles on windows and openings
• colored tiles and painted/carved ceilings

Furniture:

• characteristics: simplicity, boldness, heavy proportions, rectangular shapes, repetitive panels that create a pattern, walnut wood, silver used for ornamentation
• most was pushed against walls
• limited number of pieces
• chairs, stools, benches, tables, chests, beds, cupboards, vagueness

Past Examples:

Current Examples:

Extra Credit:

This is a tour of La Alhambra:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEseJViidy8

This is a tour of Cathedral Seville:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il-WgOQj-RY

Peer Review:

Angie: You did a really nice job covering the period in a concise and easy to read way. I also like the diversity in your images.

Becca: I really enjoyed your blog and loved all of the images you provided. While words do a great job describing a style and space, a picture really is worth a million words.

Italian Renaissance

Renaissance, meaning "rebirth" began in Florence, Italy. It happened after people returned from the Crusades. This was a revolution not an evolution. During this time, classical forms were refined and adapted for new uses. Local quarries offered an endless supply of beautiful marble. The interiors were furnished with Gothic and Romanesque styles. The renaissance took place in Florence, Rome, Venice, and other cities. The renaissance was a shift from a religious to a secular emphasis on humanity. The Roman-Catholic church had become very powerful and corruption and misconduct frequently occurred. Martin Luther is credited with the reform inside the church. During this time life and the arts of ancient Rome were popular. For example, arts, literature, architecture, and theatre were popular and this time is coined with the invention of the printing press.
During this time there was a movement towards humanism, as seen through the writings of Dante.

• Lorenzo de'Medici: Was a member of a prominent family. He was a business man, a banker, and a patron of the arts.
• Everyone in Italy was interested in the arts, regardless of whether they were rich or poor.
• Residential design becomes popular during this time.
• Comfort, convenience, and beauty became important, as opposed to safety, strength, and protection.

When looking at client relationships it is important to understand that the architects, painters, furniture designers, and sculptors were hired on a long-term basis. They also copied designs from excavations and emphasized the horizontal and symmetry.
The ancient Roman style and details were added to building that were medieval in concept. There was an early emphasis on the interior architecture, not the furniture. The "Renaissance man" was well rounded in education. The Italian Renaissance palace, called a palazzo, was one of the finest achievements of the Italian Renaissance and was a product of the power and influence of prominent families, like the Medici family.

•  The Florence Cathedral:
• Brunelleschi: architect, sculptor, and mechanical engineer
• Started the addition of Florence Cathedral (1420-1436)
• First acknowledged Renaissance architect
• This was the main church in Florence
• Brunelleschi was inspired by the Pantheon
• Palazzo:
• Renaissance palazzo facade: the term refers to the general shape, proportion, and a cluster of characteristics, rather than a specific design
• Emphasis on: symmetry, compound repeated window, and heavy project cornice 
• Palazzo Interior:
• Central courtyard like Roman domus
• No hallways
• Residence on the 2nd and 3rd floors
• Walls pierces with niches
• Living space over a store (similar to the Roman "insula") 
• Palazzo Ground Floor Plan:
• Business shop
• Repair shop
• Summer apartments, kitchen, bathrooms, storage
• Grand staircase to the piano nobile (main living area on the second floor)
• Palazzo Davanzati:
• Located in Florence, Italy
• Transition from Gothic to Early Renaissance 
• Interiors contained:
• Frescos
• Tapiestries
• Fireplaces
• All centered around an interior courtyard
• Palazzo Farnese:
• Located in Rome, Italy
• Originally for Cardinal Farnese
• Completed by Michaelangelo
• Rectangular block - massive
• Interior Courtyard
• Currently home to the French Embassy 
• Exterior
• Ground floor - tabernacle windows
• 2nd story alternating arched and triangular pediments
• 3rd story all arched with triangular pediments
• large cornice
• Palazzo Medici - Riccardi:
• located in Florence, Italy
• Michelozzo di Bartolommeo: architect of Medici family hiome
• floor plans included three guiding principles:
• symmetry: including a central entrance with a vestibule leading to the courtyard, identical array of rooms on each side
• public rooms immediately accessible from main entrance - private rooms deeper into the house
• dividing the Palazzo into smaller apartments - continuous rooms belonging to a single person 
• Villa Rotonda by Andrea Palladio:
• most influential architect in all of the Renaissance
• wrote: "The Four Books on Architecture"
• inspired by Indigo Jones of England and Thomas Jefferson of America
• designed this as "perfect" 
• "The place is nicely situated and one of the loveliest and most charming that one could hope to find. The loveliest hills are arranged around it, which afford a view into an immense theatre... because one takes pleasure in the beautiful view on all four sides, loggias were built on all four facades." - A. Palladio\
• each side has a classical temple front facing including: stairs, 6 columns, entablature, and pediment 
• roman portico
• rooms arranged symmetrically around the dome
• Palazzo Ducale:
• located in Gubbio, Italy
• intarsia: creating decorative patterns with thin pieces of wood or veneer (trompe l'oeil) 
• Architectural Influence
• Andrea Palladio recommended architectural proportions based on the models from the classical world
• Fillipo Burnelleschi clarified the laws or linear perspective. He invented the one-point perspective.
• Leon Battista Alberti was an architect and architectural theorist. He wrote the Ten Books of Architecture, which were based on the ancient roman Virtruvius' urban planning. 
• Michaelangelo was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer from 1475-1564. The David was the one of the most renowned works of the Renaissance. He also created the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
• Leonardo Da Vinci was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer whose genius, perhaps more than that of any other figure epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal. He was the most diversely gifted person of all time.
• Furniture and Interiors:
• contrasting light and shadow by 3D moldings
• paneling of furniture and surfaces
• fresco to paint perspectives giving an expansion of space
• elaborate turnings for structural support and ornamentation 
• Interiors:
• decorative moldings
• doors and door frames
• elaborate coffered ceilings 
• painted wall and ceiling decorations
• elaborate fireplace mantels
• pilasters were flat decorated columns
• floors were brick, terra-cotta tile, or marble in geometric patterns 
• Furniture:
• furniture was portable and sparse
• had inlays of ivory, lapis, marble, onyx, and other stones
• gilding on furniture
• walnut for finest furniture 
• Chairs:
• Sedia: straight box-like armchair
• straight rectangular legs attached to floor stretchers
• turned baluster or vase-like forms support the front of the arms
• back and seat upholstered in velvet, tapestry, or ornamented leather
• used nailhead and fringe
• Sgabello (stool with a back)
• small octagonal or rectangular seat supported by 3 legs
• dining and all-purpose chair style
• X-chair or Dante Chair:
• X in the front and back separated by floor stretchers and arms
• if folded the back and seat are made of leather
• loose fringed and tasseled cushion
• Savonarola chair:
• several x's
• usually lighter and more delicate in appearance
• The Chest (cassone):
• inlaid panels
• classical orders and moldings
• pedestal, column, entablature
• pairs
• trousseau of a bride
• coat of arms of the bride and groom
• Cassapanca:
• arms
• back
• lid covered with a soft cushion
• appears to be integral with he wall
• first start of the sofa
• Beds:
• textiles were significant
• one massive and box-like with paneled head and footboards
• Tables:
• Trestle Table (most common):
• large rectangle supported on two heavy and elaborately carved pedestals and connected by a carved stretcher
• Florentine Table:
• wood or stone tops
• edged with ornamental moldings (Roman models)
• later copied in the French empire and English Regency
• Other Renaissance:
• french military campaigns in Italy
• Italian Renaissance influenced Spanish and French
• craftsmen from Italy were in great demand

Past Examples:

Current Examples:

Extra Credit:

This is a video on the Villa Rotonda:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvq1cYDqd0U

This is a documentary on Michelangelo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUvjCYEbdjs

Peer Review:

Angie: You did a great job summarizing the material in a clear and concise way. I also really like your current applications of this period.

Holli: I really appreciate that you put the material into your own words. It is helpful to hear it in a different way when trying to understand and study this material.