Hector-Martin Lefuel French architect Date of Birth: 14.11.1810 Country: France

1. Henri Lefuel: Architect of the New Louvre
2. Early Life and Education
3. Architectural Career
4. The New Louvre
5. Other Works and Legacy

Henri Lefuel: Architect of the New Louvre

Born to a building contractor, Henri Lefuel emerged as a prominent French architect. His most renowned work, the completion of the New Louvre in Paris, epitomized the cosmopolitan architecture of the 19th century.

Early Life and Education

In 1829, Lefuel enrolled in the École des Beaux-Arts. Under the tutelage of Jean Nicolas Huyot, he demonstrated his exceptional talent, earning the Grand Prix de l'Académie in 1839 for his design of a city hall. Following his studies, he spent a formative period at the Villa Medici in Rome.

Architectural Career

Upon returning to France, Lefuel established his own studio and became the inspector of the Chamber of Deputies. His early projects included renovations at the château of Meudon in 1848 and the porcelain factory in Sèvres in 1852. In 1853, he was appointed architect of the château of Fontainebleau, where he redesigned the theater, showcasing his flair for 18th-century aesthetics.

The New Louvre

Lefuel's theater design attracted attention, leading to his appointment as the successor to Louis Visconti for the reconstruction of the old Louvre. While preserving the original design, he introduced subtle yet significant enhancements. Most notably, he redesigned the facade along the Rue de Rivoli, incorporating intricate ornamentation and iron elements. By integrating his design with the surrounding buildings, Lefuel created a cohesive yet innovative architectural masterpiece.

The angular and central pavilions are particularly striking. The mansard roofs feature elaborate stone dormers in a Baroque-inspired style. The central pavilions, flanking the Cour du Carrousel, boast convex mansard roofs, forming "cube-like" domes. These decorative details became an architectural signature, imitated worldwide for decades and epitomizing the Second Empire architectural style.

Other Works and Legacy

Beyond the Louvre, Lefuel's notable projects included the Hôtel Fould and Hôtel de Nieuwerkerke in Paris, both since demolished. He also designed the temporary Palais-Provisoire for the 1855 Paris Exposition. In 1875, he was elected as a member of the French Academy of Fine Arts.

Henri Lefuel's contributions to architecture, particularly his groundbreaking work on the New Louvre, left an enduring legacy. He passed away in Paris and was laid to rest at the Cimetière de Passy. His architectural creations continue to inspire and captivate architects and art enthusiasts alike.