Carlo Vigarani

Carlo Vigarani , born in 1637 with Modena (Italy), died in 1713, was, starting from 1662, engineer of the king then intendant of the pleasures of the king at the court of Louis XIV, king of France, until in 1690.

Biography

Carlo Vigarani was one of wire of Gaspare Vigarani, which was architect and superintendent of the buildings of the duke of Modena. It was naturally initiated, like his brothers, with paternal arts and, in 1659, when Mazarin obtains the collaboration of Gaspare to take part in the development of the machineries of the theater of the Tuileries, followed his/her father and his brothers to Paris.

In 1662, it is named engineer of the king. It will consequently lead face various careers to the court: engineer in machineries of theater, architect, decorator and director.

Carlo Vigarani worked simultaneously or successively with the Château of Saint-Germain-in-Bush hammer (where it put in scene various tragedies), collaborated with Lully in the direction of the opera, created decorations for the church of the Théatins in Paris, etc

Its fame remains particularly attached to its important work of machinery provided for the Pleasures of the Magic Island , festival imposing data within the framework of the park of Versailles, from May 7th to 14th 1664, whereas the future palate is yet only one distance project. This festival was dedicated to Louise of Vallière, favorite in title of the king.

In 1673, it was naturalized French by letters of the king. It at that time carried the title of “Intendant of the Machines and Amusements of Roy”.

He married a Frenchwoman resulting from a family of small noblesse de robe, and acquired of a small seigniory beside Amboise, becoming thus “lord of Saint-Ouen”.

In 1690, after several failures related to various projects, of which one which related to a room of the ballets ever created with the castle of Versailles, it chooses to be withdrawn and was replaced by Jean Bérain father.

Conference

An international symposium, titrated Of the court of Este to that of Louis XIV: Gaspare and Carlo Vigarani were organized, from June 4th to 12th 2005, in Italy then in France, were organized jointly by the Survey firm of the XVIIe century and the Center André Chastel. The first part proceeded from June 4th to 7th 2005 with Modena and Reggio of Emilie, in Italy, then continued in France, from June 9th to 12th 2005, with the auditorium of the Château of Versailles. The acts of the conference were not published yet.

Random links: