Angie Bonk: French Period

Instead of design being determined by religious and political history, France had rulers that influenced the most pervasive design in the Renaissance France. They used Royal "taste" to determine design styles. France was the central to Romanesque and Gothic style. During this time, an occupation people could have was being a decorator. They designed luxurious rooms with consistent and harmonious design that was a complex job during this time. One monarch during this time was Francois I who was a famous patron of the arts. He used a transitional style that used Gothic forms with Italian Renaissance ornament. He designed the Loire Valley in Paris. In France, there was no need for new religious structures. They were more focused on building palaces and chateaux. Exteriors became more important for their architecture. The weather in France required steep roofs, many chimneys and many large windows. They were famous for their mansard roof. Francois I also constructed the Chateau Chambord. At this same time, he also constructed the Chateau de Blois which he made his hunting lodge. The motif they widely used was the fleur de lis that we still see a lot today with a lot of decor. Another hunting lodge built during this time was the Chateau de Fontainbleau. It was a large structure that included formal gardens, lakes, fountains, and elaborate interiors. Withing this structure, there was the Galerie Francois that was filled with paintings, sculptures, carved wall paneling and coffered ceilings in geometric patterns. During this period, they started the use of the monogram. The Chateau de Blois used Italian prototypes, depressed arches, low-relief ornamentation and asymmetrical organization of openings. Some current applications of this time period is the use of logos from the development of the monogram and very detail carved and oriented furniture.

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