MANSART, FRANcOIS (1598-1666), French architect, was born in Paris on Jan. 23, 1598, and is said to be the descend ant of a long line of architects, at one time resident in Italy. He was the son of a carpenter to the king, and for some time studied under Germain Gaulthier, the king's architect. On taking up inde pendent work, of which he was very prolific, he designed and car ried out many churches, in whole or in part, and numerous large private houses, while many buildings of uncertain origin have been ascribed to him. Much of his work has since been destroyed. Mansart appears to have interested himself in problems of con struction, and is generally considered to be the originator of the so-called "mansard" or curb roof, a modification of contemporary practice which became popular by affording an increased area of floor-space on the top storey of houses. "Mansarde," in modern
French a garret or attic chamber, is derived from his name. Among his works may be mentioned the church of the Visitation des Filles de Sainte-Marie, an early work; the Hotel Carnavalet; Hotel de la Vrilliere (where the bank of France now is), which he did not finish ; Chateau de Maisons at St. Germain-en-Laye; Hotel Mazarin, part of which has since been used for a time by the Bibliotheque Nationale; several church portals and altars; and many provincial castles, of which La Ferte-Reuilly is a good example. He was commissioned by Colbert to make a design for the Louvres; his plan was approved subject to his undertaking not to alter the design during the construction of the building. This he refused to do, and the Italian, Bertini, was sent for in his stead.