Façade of the Louvre (detail)
by GOUJON, Jean, Stone
The new royal palace of the Louvre replaced a medieval fortress. Demolished beginning in 1546, the old structure gave way under the reign of Henri II to a three-story building decorated by Jean Goujon. Its registers, friezes, and tympanums were adorned with allegories and emblems as well as warriors, captives and trophies. The building’s colossal scale incited fear, respect, and admiration for the sovereign residing within.