Chalgrin, Jean-François

(1739-1811)

   architect

   A leading French architect of the 18th century, Jean-François Chalgrin was born in Paris and, in 1758, won the prix de Rome. He subsequently went to italy to study ancient buildings and monuments and, returning to France, became architect to the king and to the count of Provence. He produced structures that, because of their simplicity and elegance, were especially characteristic of the louis XVI style. He also added to, or enlarged, buildings for the collège de France, the Luxembourg Palace, and various Parisian churches (e.g., Saint-Sulpice). A representative of the "Greek," or Doric, phase of neoclassicism, he adapted to the church of saint-Philippe-du-Roule a colonnaded style reminiscent of early Christian basilicas (1769-84). During the Directory and Consulate periods, Chalgrin developed a more grandiose style and drew up a plan for a triumphal arch in Paris.