CUVILLES

cuvilles, francois de (1698-c. 1767), french architect and engraver. he helped to carry the french rococo taste to germany--he was summoned about 1720 to cologne by the elector james clement; in 1738 he became architect to the elector of bavaria, and afterwards occupied the same position towards the emperor charles vii. his style, while essentially thin, is often painfully elaborate and bizarre. he designed mirrors and consoles, balustrades for staircases, ceilings and fireplaces, and in furniture, beds and commodes especially. he also laid out parks and gardens. he wrote several treatises on artistic and decorative subjects, which were edited by his son, francois de cuvilles the younger, who succeeded his father at the court of munich.