GILLES-MARIE OPPENORD

Architect, decorator and illustrator, Gilles-Marie Oppenord was one of the most important decorators of the first third of the 18th century. The artist studied briefly with Jules Hardouin-Mansart. It was above all his years spent in Italy from 1692 to 1699 and the careful observation of antiques, Roman architecture and Baroque art that played a determining role in the development of his Rococo style. Gilles-Marie Oppenord had a remarkable career. He obtained the position of architect and chief decorator to the Duke of Orléans bringing numerous transformations to the Palais Royal, worked for Pierre Crozat for whom he remodeled the gallery of the Hôtel de Richelieu, and for Philippe V of Spain and the Elector Clemens August of Cologne. Gilles-Marie Oppenord received numerous ecclesiastical commissions like designing altars, pulpits, church facades and galleries. He designed numerous pieces of furniture in collaboration with the greatest cabinetmakers such as André-Charles Boulle and Charles Cressent. Finally, he participated in editorial projects producing numerous drawings intended to be engraved for collections of ornaments.