arc du carrousel Archives

AneoclassicalFrench architect, interior decorator, and designer, Charles Percier was an illustrious representative ofDirectoire StyleandEmpire Style.

File:Portret van de architect Charles Percier Percier, Charles (titel op object) Leden van het Institut Royal de France (serietitel) Iconographie de l'Institut royal de France (serietitel op object), RP-P-1907-1547.jpg — architect Charles Percier

Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/1d6c19a5-3e0b-4d8e-b877-10c85c018296byRijksmuseum

Interior Elevation of Reims Cathedral with the Rood Screen and Throne for the Coronation of King Louis XVIII, Charles Percier (French, Paris 1764–1838 Paris), Pen and black ink, with colored wash

Image source:https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/343513?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=Charles+Percier&offset=0&rpp=20&pos=19

About his life

Percier was born in Paris in 1764. In 1784, at age nineteen, he won thePrix de Rome, a government-funded scholarship in Rome. Then he metPierre-François-Léonard Fontainewho became his friend for life. Percier & Fontaine became the leading architectural firm of the Napoleonic period, their work influenced the whole of Europe and America and the widespread adoption of theEmpire style. In 1801, Percier was appointed government architect.

Tureen, Charles Percier (French, Paris 1764–1838 Paris), Silver gilt, French, Paris — Tureen 1794–1814 -Charles Percier -French

Image source:https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/197467?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=Charles+Percier&offset=0&rpp=20&pos=2

What were his major works?

For the oldroyal palacesand the new Bonapartes residences, together with Fontaine, he designed interiors, walls, and ceilings and designed furniture, accessories, and ornament. They designed thearcadesof the rue de Rivoli and rue de Castiglione along the Louvre and designed theArc de Triomphe du Carrouselwhich connected the Louvre and Tuileries (1806–08), theLouvreand the Palaces of theTuileriesdid much of their work. They also worked on theChâteau de Saint-Cloudand theChâteau de Fontainebleau.

Paris - Arc de triomphe du Carrousel — Arc du Carrousel, Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine, 1806–15,

Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/188b0440-4e64-4890-a013-fcaf3a98b925bycorno.fulgur75

In theRecueil de décorations intérieures(1801 - 1812)在室内decorat珀西的产品ion and furniture design were presented, a collection of 72 plates of furniture and furnishings and the most important and influential book of ornaments in France at the epoch. Recueil was Persier’s masterpiece, according to Fontaine’s admission. Although both signatures were affixed to the plates, Persier drew and engraved them himself.

Coin cabinet, Designed by Charles Percier (French, Paris 1764–1838 Paris), Mahogany (probably Swietenia mahagoni), applied and inlaid silver, French, Paris — **Coin cabinet ca. 1809–19**, Designed by Charles Percier (French, Paris 1764–1838 Paris), Mahogany (probably Swietenia mahagoni), applied and inlaid silver, French, Paris

Images source:https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/195473?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=Charles+Percier&offset=0&rpp=20&pos=1

How can we identify Percier’s style?

Percier favored luxurious and grandiose renditions of neoclassicism, the so-calledDirectory style, and theEmpire style. The style is distinguished by a small amount ofdetail and ornamentation, inspired mainly by ancientRomanobjects that were discovered duringexcavations in Pompeii. Directory furniture was the last phase of theLouis XVI style. The Empire style was based on the inspiration of Napoleon by the greatness of AncientEgyptand imperial Rome.