• François Girardon (draughtsman)
• Louis, duc de Bretagne (dedicatee)

Design for ceremonial decorations at the Louvre

circa 1704

The drawing shows an elevation of the Porte Jean Goujon (now known as the Porte Barbet de Jouy) on the southern, quai-side façade of the Louvre, as well as part of the façade to the east of the portal. On the ground floor, candelabras line the windows and niches. The entry portal features a sculptural bust – likely a representation of Louis XIV – and a red banner with the king’s coat of arms. Above the portal’s tympanum is a large ovoid cartouche with faint script in black chalk that may read « Plate pour l’inscription, » indicating that the text had not yet been finalized at the time of the drawing’s creation.

The heavily-decorated middle register features two over-life-size mythical and allegorical figures on either side of a balcony. To the left is Hercules, with his club, and to the right is an allegorical representation of Bellona. The balcony is hung with a blue tapestry woven with the king’s interlocking L monogram. Blue curtains with fleurs-de-lys hang over the balcony, revealing the revelers inside the building. These ornamental elements continue along the façade, which is hung with two large, circular portrait reliefs that likely show Louis XIV’s son, Grand Dauphin Louis, and grandson, Louis, the Duke of Burgundy, who was the father of the Duke of Brittany whose birth was being celebrated. Green watercolor paint is used to highlight the foliage festoons and palms that frame the portraits. On the top register of the portal is a seated allegorical figure holding a palm and a portrait, perhaps of the infant Louis, Duke of Brittany. Above her is a large, crowned medallion with the profile of Louis XIV in the guise of a Roman emperor surrounded by green palms. On either side of this central scene are large candelabras and circular portraits of the Grand Dauphin and the Duke of Burgundy. The architectural elements of the façade are carefully drawn in black chalk and faithfully render the architecture of the Louvre in the early eighteenth century.

• design development drawing

Grey wash and watercolour over black chalk

sheet: 46.1 x 54.7 cm

DR1967:0012

• line drawing
• freehand drawing

• elevation (drawing)

• general view

- Black chalk underdrawing with watercolor and grey wash. The drawing uses two sheets of laid paper adhered together. -Visible vertical and horizontal folds towards the centre of the sheet.

Inscribed in black chalk on cartouche over portal: “Plate pour l’inscription” Inscribed in black chalk, lower left: illegible text and upper left: "LVDVICVS / MAGNVS REX"

• temporary architecture