What if the streets could talk? This is Rue Andr\u00e9 Boulle. It is named after a master craftsman. Andr\u00e9-Charles Boulle was no ordinary artisan. He was cabinetmaker to the King. He was a master of marquetry. He was the first to apply gilt bronze to cabinetmaking.
Rue Andr\u00e9 Boulle is located in the 11th arrondissement. It stretches 135 meters. The street’s width is 12 meters. It begins at 32 Boulevard Richard-Lenoir. The street concludes at 5 Rue Froment.
Originally, it was named Rue Boule. This was decreed in 1868. The current name emerged later. A decree changed the spelling. The street became Rue Boulle. This happened in 1880. The double “l” honored the great cabinetmaker.
Andr\u00e9-Charles Boulle’s life is shrouded in mystery. He claimed to be born in 1642. Yet no document confirms this. Historians debate his parentage. Was his father Jean Bolt or Jean Boulle? Protestant or Catholic? The persecution of Protestants adds to the confusion.
Many foreign artists changed their names. This helped them fit into the Sun King’s Court. Jean-Baptiste Lully is one example. He changed his name from Giovanni Battista Lulli. This historical background makes identifying Boulle’s true father difficult.
Boulle’s birth date is also uncertain. He was a poor administrator. Dates were not his strong suit. His children even claimed he was 90 when he died. This is highly unlikely.
The Edict of Fontainebleau further complicates matters. It declared Protestantism illegal. This led to the persecution of Protestants. It also led to many fleeing the country. Like Lully, Boulle may have concealed his origins.
Despite the mysteries, his artistic genius is undeniable. His family was rich in artistic talent. His father was a cabinetmaker to the King. His grandfather also held the same title. Both lived in the Louvre.
Boulle was exposed to master craftsmen. His aunt was a famous painter. She was married to Henri IV’s favorite painter. Others worked with the Boulles in the Louvre. These included painters, embroiderers, and goldsmiths.
Details of Boulle’s youth are scarce. A notarial act mentions his apprenticeship. He agreed to a contract for his nephew. Boulle’s training likely occurred in his father’s workshop at the Louvre. Here, he was close to the Sun King. Jean-Baptiste Colbert discovered him.
By 30, Boulle had lodgings in the Louvre. Louis XIV granted this to favored artists. This freed him from trade guild restrictions. Colbert described Boulle as the most skilled cabinetmaker in Paris.
Boulle aspired to be a painter. His father urged him to pursue other skills. This may explain his passion for collecting art. The Crown paid him for paintings. He worked at Versailles for years. His mirrored walls and marquetry were remarkable. These rooms were dismantled later.
Boulle received royal commissions. Foreign princes and French nobility sought his work. His talent knew no limits. He realized his furniture must be comfortable and useful. He became cabinetmaker to the Dauphin. He filled his workshop with art.
His output included commodes and armoires. He made clock cases and lighting fixtures. He mounted them with gilt bronze. Despite his skills, he always struggled with money. His art collecting led to debt. Clients often didn’t receive their orders.
In 1704, the king protected him from creditors. He was given six months to regulate his affairs. In 1720, a fire destroyed his workshop. This included tools and precious wood. He petitioned for financial assistance.
Boulle attended every art sale. He borrowed money to pay for purchases. He died in 1732. He left many debts for his sons to settle. They inherited his business.
Rue Andr\u00e9 Boulle stands as a tribute to this artist. Boulle’s legacy lives on. It is immortalized in this Parisian street. It is a testament to his enduring influence.