Project Description

Huile sur toile + stuccoed gilt wood frame

Dimensions : 59 cm x 49 cm

Signed lower right

Corbel houses

Principle of cantilevering

L’cantilever is a construction protruding from the vertical plane of a wall, cantilevered supported by an assembly of corbels or brackets. A floor, a gallery, a balcony, etc., can be cantilevered.

In European cities, the corbelling is typical of medieval half-timbered architecture. In Paris, corbels on the street have been prohibited since the ordinance of 18 August 1667 (see Paris urban planning regulations).

This term is derived from corbel, ancient form of crow. The corbelling was able to develop thanks to the short wood technique. This construction system makes it possible to carry an overhanging load on the bare wall. The houses will therefore have one or more floors, projecting from the ground floor.

Since the XIV^e century

Over time, this technique will improve, which will allow the multiplication of corbels. Some houses could have two or three corbelled floors.

The primitive corbelling was very simple : the post on the ground floor carried the windchest and flared upwards carrying the pigeard ; the first sand pit of the first floor was placed directly on it. This system will evolve towards a more complicated assembly : the bed base rests on the pigeard. There are two sandpits, a lower one, corresponding to the ground floor wall and an upper, used on the first floor wall.

Benefits

The corbelled construction had several advantages : it saved a little space on the floors, but in particular it prevented rainwater from flowing on the facade; Therefore, each corbelled floor protected the lower floor.

Cependant, as this system was banned. At Rouen, for example, it was banned in 1520, on the pretext of “circulate the air to fight the plague”. In Paris, it was banned later, in 1667. It also had many inconveniences.. medieval streets, quite narrow, were thus further reduced, what darkened them. On the other hand, this system posed safety problems during fires, quite common in medieval towns. Another factor to take into account is the new influence of Italian architecture.

Another work of architecture is offered to you by the Gallery.