History of Interiors French Renaissance

a French term for a luxurious townhouse or private residence of a French aristocrat

a French luxurious country house or stately residence some distance from the city

a French term appearing in the 15th century for a series of rooms in linear order where a person can progress from the most public room to the most private one

an outer room where guests can wait before entering the chamber room

a private room used for study or conducting business

A refined apartment or living area within a large home or palace

a representation of one of the architectural orders, yet rectangular and flattened against a surface to appear as visual support.

the term used for masonry units at the corner of a building, characterized by its decorative element, such as rustication, color, material, and size

a row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as a low parapet or barrier

most floors are wood in boards or parquet patterns. A few, particularly on lower
floors, are of masonry or tiled.

often white plaster. Other wall treatments include wood paneling, painting, and
hangings.

shutters provide privacy and light control. The few curtains, which are limited
to wealthy homes, are functional, not decorative

Doorways are placed where needed aren’t always symmetrical. Door panels
usually match wainscoting

as a focal point, the chimneypiece is the largest and most important
decorative feature of the interior. The projecting hood is decorated with classic and Gothic details, coats of arms, and/or royal and period motifs. It does not have classical proportions, but entablatures, pilasters, and columns can shape the design

Beamed ceilings in dwellings are embellished with carving and/or brightly
colored stripes, arabesques, and other repeating motifs. Coffers in geometric
patterns are carved, painted, or gilded

conversation chair, arms made it easy to pivot from left to right, back is tall and slender- reminiscent of gothic verticality, barrel vault with perspective lines, seat- narrow in back and wider in front, follows the same curves as the arms, legs spaced closer in back and further apart in the front, continuous stretcher, legs- reference to classical architecture, terminates in a bun foot.

rectilinear, box like, high panel back and arms, makes reference to Italian barrel vault, pilasters, arms in baluster form, reference to fluting

cabinet, used to display platters, vases, central case is at eye level, use of the lozenge motif

lighter in form, open arms, severe and simple in form, down turning arms terminating in a ram’s head, use of baluster form

severe and simple in form, open arms, down turning arms terminating in a ram’s head, continuous stretcher, legs were designed as slender, round plain columns mounted on bun feet, still using carving

medallion on a chair back contains a carved human head in high relief

front and sides recessed, upper body is surmounted by pediment, use of columns, bun feet, easier to move in two pieces, walnut cupboard in two parts, use of classical forms, lower section wider than upper, heavily carved

severe and simple in form, open arms and carved solid splat, down turning arms terminating in rams head, legs joined by H stretcher, legs mounted on bun feet, open back with center piece-splat in back similar to Greek Klismos chair

early 1600’s, made of walnut, rare piece that has lion paw feet, two parts- top is recessed on front and sides, relief carving

Rather than using the antiquities as inspiration, the French used the Gothic style mixed with the Italian Renaissance style. The French develop their own unique classical style that features less emphasis on rules and correct proportion than in Italy and more on inventiveness and surface richness

They value inventiveness over rules and rich surface decoration over proportion. Even as it becomes more formally and classically correct, French Renaissance architecture remains more lively, vertical, and picturesque than Italian design

The Renaissance flowers during the reign of Francis I as the country prospers and life grows more stable. A new wealthy, leisured class demands suitable accompaniments to a more refined way of life. Francis I supports and promotes the arts and learning. He attracts many Italian artists, such as Leonardo de Vinci and Benvenuto Cellini, and scholars to his court and builds palaces in the Loire Valley and the Ile de France. The marriage of Henry II to Catherine de’ Midici of Florence enhances Italian ties

French Renaissance design concepts come from a Gothic heritage mixed with Ancient Roman, Renaissance, and Flemish characteristics. Gothic heritage provides a rich source of design inspiration and proves difficult to overcome. The French develop their own unique classical style that features less emphasis on rules and correct proportion than in Italy and more on inventiveness and surface richness

The French regard classicism as an ordering system, hence, regularity, order and symmetry are common design principles that appear early and continuously. Climatic differences resulting from a colder climate and softer light distinguish French Renaissance as well. These differences include more steeply pitched roofs, larger windows, and prominent chimneys.

Who was the King who really brought the Renaissance to France?

Double Staircase- if one person is walking up and one is walking down they will not meet

What was the most decorative feature in a French room?

Large room and hardly furnished
Bed sat on a dais
Ceiling is beamed – painted and stenciled beams
Walls are highly decorative
Colors are rich and highly saturated
Large fireplace
Tile floor- terra cotta
Hues appear in walls, bed hangings, beams

Beds- carving, highly expensive textiles, and gold embrodiery

created religious tolerance and brought peace into France

Who was a large patron of the arts in the Late French Renaissance?

Hughes Sambin, Jacques de Cerceau

Gothic forms are illiminated
Rooms became more dignified and formal
Enlarged wall panels- variety of shapes
Moldings that form panels are large and heavy
floors are either marble or parquet
Heaviliy beamed ceiling – painted inside panels by Italian craftsmen