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Guess Who's Coming To Dinner Interview French architect Victor Louis

S.W.: What made you want to go into the marvelous field of architecture?

V.L.: I have been interested in architecture since I was really young. I liked the
different styles of art and architecture in places of the world I traveled to that I got
to view. While I was visiting Italy I saw the style of Baroque art which I really
liked. It really caught my eye and I found it very fascinating. I attended an
institute of architecture and received and education in the field and focused on it a
lot.(185 Architecture In France In The 18th Century).
I studied the Baroque style of art as well as the neoclassical style which
was renowned in my native home France by society. I went to the institute when I
was an adult to build my skills and create better works. It was really beneficial
and important for me to be successful because you have to be good at your career
yo make a living in the world. It is good that I attended that institute because it
enriched my skills that I need to do well in my career for the rest of my life.

S.W.: How did other people in the field of architecture help you to become better
at your career?

V.L.: The instructors at the architecture institute I attended really helped to feed
me the knowledge that is essential to my success. I became a better designer and a
better constructor throughout my years of education. I was exposed to different
styles of art and architecture as I worked with people on designing and
constructing. It made me more experienced not only in the field but also in my
work. I received help by working with fellow architects and instructors.(185
Architecture In France In The 18th Century).
I benefited from learning about many different styles of architecture.
When working with my fellow architects on design plans for buildings, the prior
knowledge I had helped me to decide how to design buildings to look like. It gave
us ideas on which style we were to base the designs of buildings off of. I became
more adapt and used to the styles that influenced my work.(185 Architecture In
France In The 18th Century).

S.W.: What was the main style of art during the time of your contributions?

V.L.: A lot of art and architecture is influenced by culture and situations in

society in different nations. Many styles of art are based off of the ideas of the
countries' leaders. During the era of my work in France, a lot of things were
influenced by our monarchs, including the basic style of art. A lot of our art in
France was influenced by the style of Louis the XIV. France promotes the styles
of all the Louis' that reigned.(454, Architecture Of The Renaissance In France).
The style of Louis the XIV was shown in many different types of buildings.
A lot of it is seen in church architecture. The way most of the cathedrals were
built is based off of his style. The artistic characteristics of the churches are really
beautiful. There were a few homes built in his style. A lot of the government
buildings were constructed from his style as well.(454, Architecture Of The
Renaissance In France).

S.W.: How did society influence and effect your work?

V.L.: I was born around the time of the Renaissance in France, when new artistic
ideas and styles were emerging. Citizens would promote their artistic styles
during the Enlightenment along with political, social, and religious views. A lot of
the buildings that were designed and constructed were based off of the new styles
of art, just like new philosophies and works of literature were influential to people
in the world. A lot of my work is based off of the style of Louis the XIV, who's
style majorly influenced France around the time that he reigned. His style filled
the area where I lived and worked in France.( 454, Architecture of The
Renaissance In France,
Also, due to the wars, riots, hard times, and the Revolution, there was a
shortage of money, which was being spent on the Revolution. Unemployment was
high, along with the death rate, disease spread because there has not been proper
sanitation, people are starving, and are without essential clothing for the weather.
Artists can't just go out in the world and do their work without the tools they need.
That has been a problem due to the economy. Artists have to be aware of the
expenses of the materials they need for their work. And their are always going to
be critiques with their opinions on your art. Those are effects that society and the
economy had on my work.(

S.W.: What are some of your magnificent works that you are known for?

V.L.: The Bordeaux Theater is one of my most famous works. It is renowned in

France where it is located. I am experienced in designing and constructing homes
and a few churches. I also designed hotels and the Governor's Residence. I
worked on buildings and works of art for national leaders, like the chambre des
portraits for the King of Poland.
(454, Architecture of The Renaissance in France,, Cohen, David Harris).
I am also a designer for theatrical scenery. I design and build scenery for
theater performances. It is what I do in the artistic field that isn't directly based off
of architecture. I have been rewarded for my contributions. I received an artist
scholarship, the prix de Rome, for my accomplishments.(454, Architecture of
Renaissance In France,

S.W: What chances did you have to build your skills and become more

V.L.: I went with the opportunity to attend the architecture institute. It is what
really got me to where I am now in my career as an architect. I am very glad I
chose to be educated in the arts and explore more about it. It build me up. Many
of decisions you make when you are young really do impact your life as you get
I designed a lot of buildings that national and foreign leaders wished to be
constructed. When I was called to work with people on architecture I went right
with the chance. I gained more knowledge on architecture that way and learned
more about what I was doing. When there was a certain style of building that was
desired to be constructed, I knew what to do and how to make it happen. My
career has been a great experience in my life.(185, Architecture In France In The
18th Century).

S.W.: I can see why it was so exciting for you. What did you decide to do to
become a better architect?

V.L.: I focused hard on my work. I put more effort into it and and tried harder at
things I wasn't successful at. I worked hard and took my work seriously. I viewed
different types of architecture to get a sense of what styles that I am good at. Of
course, a lot of the styles of art in France is influenced by Louis the XIV, so that's
what many of the citizens are familiar with. (454, Architecture of The
Renaissance In France, 185, Architecture In France In The 18th Century).
I feel that an important thing is that I never gave up. Some of my work was
not seen as marvelous, and I needed to work on how I could make it better.
Creating work for foreign and national leaders made me more advanced in my
career. Working with leaders opened me up to the many ways buildings can be
styled. It gives you a broader range of ideas to choose from when designing.(185,
Architecture In France In The 18th Century).

S.W.: What did you have to grow out of to be able to get to where you are now?

V.L.: When I was younger, I was really hostile towards people. I didn't show a
lot of positivity towards the people I worked with. That was my bad habit, and I
am not completely rid of it. I finally realized that in order to be successful in the
world, you can't talk to people like they're dogs. You have to show respect.
People are more likely to praise you on your contributions to society if you
are good-tempered. Personality is something I have to work on. A good
personality is essential to any career. People will be more likely to want to work
with you are hire you if you are disarming whether than if you are frank. It is just
something you have to get over if you want to get anywhere in your life.(185,
Architecture In France In The late 18th Century),

S.W.: What are some obstacles that you struggled with throughout your career?

V.L.: I wasn't always successful in the field of architecture, and I wasn't always
seen as a successful architect. Sometimes I would design and construct a building
and I would here that it was a poor work of architecture. There is a lot of pressure
on people in certain careers to be excellent and outstanding, but that is not reality.
People have flaws. We have limits to how well we can do things.
I never wanted to give up on my career as an architect because I love it so. I
just stuck right with it. It's perseverance. I can not imagine having a different
career. We all have our strengths and weaknesses in the things that we do in life.
(454, Architecture of The Renaissance In France).

S.W.: What would tell how you became better and better at designing and
building throughout your career?

V.L.: It all goes back to working leaders and other architects on designing
buildings. I was exposed to more and more styles of architecture through the time
of the Renaissance in France. I have learned and will continue to learn more about
architecture through that. worked on art for the king of Poland. It is important to
be good at what you are creating and presenting to famous people. Of course my
education in architecture contributes to my success. I became advanced in
designing, which is a crucial skill to be able to be an architect.(Cohen,
I feel that creating art for foreign and national leaders has made me
renowned in France and other parts of the world. If my work for them turns out
good, People will start to wonder who made it and what inspired them to create it
to be in the style it is. Then, if more people like my work and want to own a piece
of art by me, I can design and create it to be of the style that they desire. I really
appreciate people’s positive sayings on my work. It motivates me.(185,
Architecture In France In The 18th Century).

S.W.: It has been a good experience to interview you about your life as a great
architect. Nice to meet you.

V.L.: Nice to meet you too.

Works Cited louis


Cohen, David Harris, http:/

Kalnen, Architecture In France In The 18th Century published 1972

Ward, William Henry, The Architecture Of The Renaissance In France published

B.T. Batsford, Ltd publishers, London England