Gilles Marie Oppenord

Nicknamed 'the French Borromini', Gilles Marie Oppenord (1672-1742) was born in Paris, the son of a royal cabinet maker. He was a royal pensioneer at the Academie de France in Rome. There he devoted much of his studies to Mannerist and Baroque architecture and ornament and the Louvre's carnet (acquired in 1972) is a testament to this period of intense study. Only three sketchbooks of this period survive.

When he returned to Paris he was trained as an architect by Jules-Hardouin Mansart and he soon became the architect of Philippe II Duke of Orleans, later Regent of France, for whom he decorated and designed the interiors of the Palais Royal. For the reception of the King in 1723, he was entrusted with the restoration and decoration of the Château de Villers Cotterets. Oppenord also carried out important church commissions, among them the completion of the church of Saint Sulpice in Paris. A talented draughtsman, he published two books of his engraved designs.

Book features :

• This is the first complete reproduction of Oppernord's study sketchbook
• A quasi-facsimile reproduction (same size) of beautiful drawings at an affordable price
• Accompanied by a throrough commentary
• Of interest to art historians and architectural historians and to scholars who study Rome, the Baroque and the survival of the
• Antique in modern Europe
• 350 colour illustrations
• 2 Vols, 1Hb,1Pb, Slipcase
• Text in French

About the Author

Peter Fuhring is an art historian specialising in the study of architectural ornaments and decorative arts. He works at the Fondation Custodia in Paris. Jean-Gerard Castex is a curator of the Department of Prints and Drawings at the Musee du Louvre, Paris, where he is in charge of prints.