First Architect to the King

Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Portrait 
of Jacques Gabriel (1698-1782),
French architect. Oil on linen,
mid-18th century. Louvre Museum

Ange-Jacques Gabriel made quite the name for himself as First Architect to the King, King Louis XV that is.  He spent many years studying French architects and surprisingly enough, never set foot in Italy! His father was an architect and engineer so he had good training and talent to fill the post at court.

While First Architect to the King, Gabriel designed many famous public buildings including the Place de la Concorde and the Opera of Versailles.  Other important projects that he worked on included those at the Louvre and Fontainebleau.

Gabriel even did work for Madame de Pompadour, his is the responsible architect for her very famous Petit Trianon.  Sadly, she did not live to see the project realized, but it was gifted later to Marie Antoinette who truly enjoyed the lovely building.

Jacques-Ange Gabriel, Chateau Fontainebleau. France, 1754. Hartill Art Associates Inc.

Jacques-Ange Gabriel, Château de Versailles, Petit Trianon. View of exterior facade, France, 1751-1768. Harris, Dianne Suzette.