Eugène Viollet-le-Duc's 200th birthday: Architect celebrated in Google doodle
Viollet-le-Duc dominates 19th-century theories of architectural restoration.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Google's latest doodle celebrates the French gothic revival architect, building restorer and theorist Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.
Born in January 1814 to a well-connected Parisian family, Viollet-le-Duc went on to dominate 19th-century theories of architectural restoration.
He initially studied Renaissance architecture in Italy before returning to France.
On his return he rekindled his lifelong love of Gothic engineering and decoration and was appointed in the 1840s to the Office of Historic Monuments.
His works were most restorative with few of his actual designs being ever realised. His restorative work was widely criticised during his lifetime.
Twentieth-century archaeologists and restorers have also criticised his restoration techniques which often involved adding completely new elements to the building.
His work at Roquetaillade castle, Pierrefonds, Saint-Michel, Carcassonne, and Mont Saint-Michel were among his most high-profile projectsm, but it was his restoration work on Notre Dame de Paris that brought him to national attention.
Viollet-le-Duc is considered by many to have been the first theorist of modern architecture.
Later in life Viollet-le-Duc had a second career in the military, most significantly in the defence of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.
In his old age he relocated to Lausanne, Switzerland, where he constructed a villa.
He was commissioned to design the internal structure of the Statue of Liberty, but died in 1879 before the project was completed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments