Exam 3: French Flashcards
(145 cards)

Baluster
One of a number of short vertical posts or
columns supporting a stair’s handrail, often
turned in a vase-like shape.

Balustrade
A row of balusters topped by a rail,
serving as a low parapet or barrier.
Fundamentals of French Renaissance
Love of Romance
Love of Order
French Renaissance
Transitional period. Influenced by Gothic structural forms and Italian Renaissance architectural detail and ornament.
Started 84 years after Italian Renaissance started.
Reign of Louis XIII
- Son of Henry IV
- Was young when gained throne, so his mother (Medici) ruled
- Louis XIII married Mary Tudor (English)
French Renaissance
Francis I
French Renaissance starts with reign of Francis I.
- wanted France to be known for the arts

Chateau Chenonceau
- Designed for defense
- Finance minister and wife die, gave chateau to son, who also inherited debt. In order to nullify debt, he gives chateau to Francis I.
French Renaissance

Chateau de Chambord
- the chateau that Francis I was building when he seized Chenonceau
- Country castle used as a hunting lodge
- poorly heated
- needed full staff to maintain
- lots of chimneys
Mote, walled enclosure, and circular towers for the keep - Gothic influences
French Renaissance

Salamander represents Francis I on Chateau de Chambord
French Renaissance

Floorplan of Chateau de Chambord
French Renaissance

Double staircase at Chateau de Chambord
French Renaissance
French Furniture
- Lightweight, but influenced by Gothic such as tracery
- Placement against wall
- Carved detailing

Caquetoire chair
- Typical French Renaissance conversation chair
- wide seat alows pivoting while sitting so you could chat in either direction.
- curved arm
- tall back reminiscent of Gothic.
- Perimeter stretcher
- Bun feet
French Renaissance

Bun foot
A foot that resembles a flattened ball or bun, commonly seen on furniture of the late 17th century.

High-back chair
- Rectilinear
- Box-like
- Shows perspective carvings (where Gothic would have shown more tracery)
French Renaissance

Dressoir
French for dresser. Originally a 16th-century cabinet with a closed cupboard designed to hold dishes.

Mantel was the most decorative feature in the room. The designs were inspired by antiquity (not proportion).
French Renaissance

Palace of Fontainebleau
La Galerie Francois
- incorporates Italian painting
French Renaissance
Middle French Renaissance
Middle Renaissance
Sons of Francis I: Henri II, Francis II, Charles IX, Henri III
Gradual elimination of Gothic forms, greater use of Renaissance and Italian detail. Catherine de’Medici dominates the kingdom.
Kid kings of France
Francis II
Was king while young. Very sick kid. Ruled for a year.
Charles IX
10 years old while on throne.
Mom Catherine rules region until kids become old enough.

Chateau de Chenonceau
Henry III inherrits Chenonceau, inherited by his wife Louise de Lorraine. She was depressed and painted everything black.
French Renaissance interiors
- updating Gothic
- ceilings were beamed with coffers
French Renaissance

High-backed chair
- opened up arms
- downturning arms ending with ram head
- balluster arm support
- carving
- lighter in form than gothic
- downturning finials by front legs
French Renaissance
- Continuous stretcher
- Down-turning arm ending in ram’s head
- continuous stretcher
- columns for legs (rebirth of antiquity)
- bun feet









































































