First Architect to the King

Under the Ancien Régime, the First Architect to the King (French: Premier Architecte du Roi) was the direct assistant to the general director of the building industries, arts and manufactures of France and, consequently, number 2 of the Bâtiments du Roi, forming part of the Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi.

Responsibilities

The Premier Architecte du Roi was, in theory, in charge of the works of maîtrise d'œuvre on behalf of the building industries of King. Hence, Ange-Jacques Gabriel was in charge of the design of the Place de la Concorde chosen from the best ideas submitted to the contest by the participants.

But this position entailed especially important administrative responsibilities, in this capacity of master builder of the projects ordered by the Bâtiments du Roi: it had the responsibilities of arranging the construction contracts for the contractors and the craftsmen, of supervising the management of supply stores (marbles, leads, etc.), of inspecting the building sites, of proceeding the reception of the works, etc.

Organization

The Premier architecte du Roi was assisted by general intendants and controllers, draughtsmen, a general inspector – all selected among the most distinguished architects, generally members of the Académie royale d'architecture. Il was disposed also of accounting officers and clerks. It had the supervision of the stewardship of Water and Fontaines, charged since the 17th century by the family of Francine.

Chronological list of Premiers Architectes du Roi
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See also

References
  1. Mézières, Nicolas Le Camus de (1 January 1992). The Genius of Architecture, Or, The Analogy of that Art with Our Sensations. Getty Publications. p. 78. ISBN 9780892362356.
  2. Banham, Joanna (1 May 1997). Encyclopedia of Interior Design. Routledge. p. 546. ISBN 9781136787577.
  3. A Biographical History of the Fine Arts, Or, Memoirs of the Lives and Works of Eminent Painters, Engravers, Sculptors, and Architects: From the Earliest Ages to the Present Time ... Condensed from the Best Authorities ... J.W. Bouton. 1 January 1865. p. 231.
  4. Dilke, Lady Emilia Francis Strong (1 January 1900). French Architects and Sculptors of the XVIIIth Century. G. Bell and Sons. p. 31.
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