Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house at 7 rue de l'Oisellerie in Angers is an emblematic building of Renaissance civil architecture. Built in the first half of the 16th century (circa 1532 according to a dendrochronological dating), it is distinguished by its structure to two houses connected by a staircase-gallery with open cage. The facades on the street and on the courtyard, partly made of wood, have a carved decoration and a rare tufted hurdles, while the posterior elevations, in shale, reveal a vaulted cellar in full-cinet, potentially dating back to the thirteenth century.

The staircase, rebuilt in the 17th or 18th centuries, and the interior arrangements (like a fireplace and a balcony of the same period) show further evolutions. The sculptures on the facade, which were very restored around 1900 and in 1993 under the direction of architect Pierre Prunet, revealed traces of polychromy (red and blue). Some figures, such as the man with a dagger, could be recent inventions, while others, such as Saint Michael or Saint George, seem more authentic. These restorations also included contemporary creations, such as sculptures on the ground floor (filer and musician).

Classified as a Historical Monument in 1962 for its facades, covers and staircase, this house illustrates the constructive and artistic techniques of its time. Private property, it retains major architectural elements despite successive transformations and restorations. The traces of polychromy and sculpted details provide a valuable insight into the decorative practices of the Angelvin Renaissance.

External links