The Imperial Mausoleum at Saint Michael's Abbey in Farnborough remains a prominent example of the architectural reach achieved by Hippolyte-Alexandre-Gabriel-Walter Destailleur. Operating during the nineteenth century, he managed an extensive portfolio that spanned across France, England, Germany, and Austria, catering to an elite clientele while simultaneously curating a vast collection of historical artistic documents.
Professional Foundations
Born in the former 11th arrondissement of Paris in 1822, Hippolyte Destailleur followed in the footsteps of his father, François-Hippolyte Destailleur. He pursued formal training at the École des Beaux-Arts between 1842 and 1846 under the guidance of François-René Leclère. Following his education, he collaborated with his father and Étienne-Hippolyte Godde. By 1853, he assumed control of the family practice and succeeded his father as the architect for the Ministère de la Justice.
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Destailleur distinguished himself by utilizing 16th to 18th-century French stylistic elements, a departure from the prevailing interest in medieval or antique models. His commissions for affluent patrons included the Hôtel de Pourtalès in 1865, the Palais Rothschild in Vienna, and the town house of Graf Hans Heinric von Pless. In England, he secured major projects, most notably Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, constructed for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild between 1874 and 1882.
Restoration and Collection
Beyond new construction, Destailleur focused on the maintenance and restoration of heritage sites. In 1875, he began work on the Château de Courances and the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. His work extended to the Château de Franconville-aux-Bois and the Chapelle de Jésus-Enfant. Outside of his building practice, he was a prolific collector of books, prints, and drawings pertaining to French art. These materials were eventually housed in the Cabinet des Estampes at the Bibliothèque Nationale.
Fast facts
- Born: 1822, former 11th arrondissement of Paris
- Died: 1893, 7th arrondissement of Paris
- Award: Knight of the Legion of Honour (1879)
- Notable work: Waddesdon Manor
- Notable work: Château de Franconville-aux-Bois
- Burial site: Montparnasse Cemetery
- Son: Walter-André Destailleur
Questions readers ask
Where is his collection located?
Much of his collection of books, prints, and drawings is held in the Cabinet des Estampes of the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris.
Did his family continue his profession?
Yes, his son Walter-André Destailleur was also an architect who built the Château de Trévarez.
Achievements
- Notable work: Château de Franconville-aux-Bois
- Notable work: Chapelle de Jésus-Enfant
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
