The cast-iron and glass dome of the Halle au Blé grain market served as an early site for Jacques Ignace Hittorff, who transitioned from a mason's apprentice in Cologne to a foundational architect in Paris. His career navigated the evolution of French construction from the Restoration era through the expansive building projects of the Second Empire.
Professional Formation and Early Projects
Moving to Paris in 1810, he attended the Beaux-Arts de Paris while working as a draughtsman for Charles Percier. He became a primary assistant to government architect François-Joseph Bélanger, helping supervise major construction projects. By 1818, he succeeded Bélanger as a government architect. During the 1820s, he partnered with Jean-François-Joseph Lecointe to manage royal ceremonies and designed the Théâtre de l'Ambigu-Comique.
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Extensive architectural tours through Italy, Sicily, Germany, and England informed his research on ancient techniques. He published volumes on Sicilian architecture between 1826 and 1835. His analysis of ancient Greek structures led to the discovery that colour was integral to their design, a theory he championed in publications such as 'Architecture polychrome chez les Grecs'. This historical insight frequently influenced his own architectural projects.
Urban Development in Paris
Between 1833 and 1846, he directed the redesign of the Place de la Concorde, which included the installation of the obelisk of Luxor and the two Fontaines de la Concorde. His portfolio expanded to include the church of St. Vincent de Paul, completed in partnership with Jean-Baptiste Lepère. Later, he designed the Cirque d'hiver, a 20-sided polygon structure, as well as the Gare du Nord and various urban embellishments in the Bois de Boulogne.
Professional Recognition and Legacy
His contributions to architecture and art history earned him membership in the Académie des beaux-arts, the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and the German Archaeological Institute. He received the Royal Gold Medal in 1855 and the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts order. He spent his final years in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, dying in 1867 and finding burial at Montmartre Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1792, Cologne
- Died: 1867, Paris
- Education: Beaux-Arts de Paris
- Citizenship: France
- Notable work: Gare du Nord
- Awards: Royal Gold Medal (1855)
- Burial: Montmartre Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of his work on the Place de la Concorde?
He redesigned the square between 1833 and 1846, overseeing the placement of the obelisk of Luxor and two major fountains, alongside statues representing eight French cities.
What materials did he favor in his building designs?
He was noted for combining traditional Beaux-Arts classicism with the advanced structural application of cast iron.
Achievements
- Notable work: town hall of Paris 1st arrondissement
- Notable work: town hall of Paris 5th arrondissement
- Notable work: fontaine de la Grille du Coq
- Notable work: fontaines de la Concorde
- Educated at Beaux-Arts de Paris
- Worked as architect, archaeologist and art historian
