L’apparition du traité technique au XVIe siècle en France et sa fortune au XVIIe siècle de Mathurin Jousse à Claude Perrault

Abstract

The 17th century was a new era for architectural literature, in Europe and especially in France. Specialized technical writings, covering all branches of building, replaced general treatises. This new development was linked to the mass dissemination enabled by the printing press and to the mastery of engraving techniques, in particular intaglio printing. The renovation of Paris and some avant-garde construction sites in the provinces, and more generally the artistic policy of the French monarchy, stimulated an architectural production in which technical treatises feature prominently. Examples include those of Mathurin Jousse on carpentry and stereotomy (1627 and 1642), François Derand on stereotomy (1642), and Abraham Bosse, who published Girard Desargues’ works (1643). All these books, as well as the composite ones which deal in detail with certain practical aspects of construction (Le Muet, 1623 and 1645), reveal the close relationship between theory and architectural practice, tradition and modernity, science and technique, as well as the occasional conflicts between architects and master builders.