THE STYLE OF FRANCIS I. 



57 



Outer Elevation. The north 



elevation of Francis I.'s wing, 



which was some fifty years in 



building, is one of the most 



original designs of the century. 



It consists (Fig. 51) of two tiers 



of arcaded loggias (built in. 15 24 



and 1563), extending the whole 



length of the building, carried on a 



trefoil plan round the old western 



tower, and originally enriched with 



colour and gilding. Above these 



runs a third gallery (built in 1570), 



below the eaves, which are carried 



on squat round columns. Several 



irregularly placed features, and 



the slope of the ground permitting 



of an additional storey below the 



eastern portion of the loggias, in- 

 troduce elements of unexpected- 

 ness into a facade, which derives 



added dignity from the height of 



blank wall at its base. 



CHAMBORD. Another of 



Francis I.'s splendid buildings, 



the chateau of Chambord, begun 



shortly after Blois (1526-44), is on 



an equally great and elaborate 



scale, and forms one of the strangest monuments of the Loire style. 



Francis wished for a hunting-box 

 in the forests of Sologne in order 

 to enjoy the pleasures of the 

 chase with less fatigue. None 

 but a Valois prince of the Renais- 

 sance, who ordered a new palace 

 with no more ado than a new 

 suit, would have selected this 

 swampy clearing in the woods 

 for the site of a vast pleasure- 

 house capable of housing his 

 entire Court. 



Plan. In the plan (Fig. 53) 

 the traditions of the fortress are 

 respected in the retention of 



52. CHAMBORD : DORMER. 

 From a Sketch by G. G. Wotnum. 



53. CASTLE OF CHAMBORD (1526-44). 

 PLAN : FROM DU CERCEAU. 



