Louis Métezeau
French architect (1559–1615)
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Louis Métezeau (1559 – 18 August 1615) was a French architect.[1]
Life and career
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]
The eastern section of the Louvre's Grande Galerie, from an engraving by Jean Marot (c. 1670)
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