Louis Le Vau

Louis Le Vau (Paris, 1612 - 1670) was a French architect, one of the creators of French Baroque classicism, known as the "Louis XIV" style, which successfully merged with Baroque art. His style is characterized by the simplicity of constructions and elegant decorations. His most outstanding work is the Vaux-le-Vicomte castle. He began his career by collaborating with his father on residential projects and later became a royal architect in 1654. Le Vau worked on Vaux-le-Vicomte for Nicolas Fouquet, creating an oval hall that stood out for its architectural innovation. After Fouquet's downfall, he continued to work for Louis XIV, participating in projects such as the Vincennes castle, the Tuileries, and the expansion of the Versailles palace, where he designed the "Enveloppe." He passed away in 1670 and was succeeded by Jules-Hardouin Mansart in the construction of the Palace of Versailles.