SIGNIFICANCE OF INDEPENDENT COLUMN, DOME AND PEDIMENT FOR EAST ELEVATION IN THE 17^TH-CENTURY LOUVRE PALACE EXPANSION PROJECT

Bernini’ design for the Louvre palace considered through the “Journal du Voyage du Cavalier Bernin en France” (Part IV)

Abstract

Many architects involved in the 17^th-century Louvre palace expansion project adopted the free-standing column, dome, and large pediment. Bernini, however, was probably the only architect who never used them. This paper aims to clarify the uniqueness of Bernini’ attitude. The results are summarized below.

1. These features were helpful to articulate properly the 150m over wide façade and give it the impression of the adequate height.

2. Bernini was unique in excluding all these non-palace-like features and it brought his design by far the most palace-like character but caused some detail-wise and comfortability-wise problems.