Quick Facts
Biography
Louis Métezeau (1559 – 18 August 1615) was a French architect.
Life and career
He was born in Dreux, Eure-et-Loir and died in Paris. He was the son of Thibault Métezeau, the brother of Clément II Métezeau and the nephew of Jean Métezeau.
He probably undertook the construction of the Grande Galerie of the Louvre (the eastern section is traditionally attributed to him) and conceived the Place des Vosges in Paris. His one documented structure is the Hôtel d'Angoulême (1584).
Métezeau was probably involved in the building of the Palais du Luxembourg for Marie de Medicis: she is believed to have sent him to Florence in 1611 to make drawings of the Palazzo Pitti, which was to be used as a model by the regent's order.
At his death he was identified as Premier Architecte du Roi of Henry IV of France.
The eastern section of the Louvre's Grande Galerie, from an engraving by Jean Marot (c. 1670)
