BLOUET, Guillaume-Abel
The French architect Guillaume Abel Blouet (1795-1853) was born to a humble family in the environs of Paris. The only information known about his youth is that he started taking evening classes in drawing at the age of thirteen, and that he was fascinated by this art. Later on, he made the acquaintance of young student of architecture A. Macquet, who undertook to teach him the fundamentals of that discipline. Blouet had problems with mathematics and Latin, but was passionate about archaeology and drawing.
Despite his financial difficulties, he was accepted into the department of architecture of the Paris School of Fine Arts in 1814. Thanks to his perseverance and tenacity, and contrary to the established tradition, according to which Fine Arts students came from well-off families of prominent artists, Blouet was successful in his studies, and in 1821 won the Prix de Rome scholarship, which enabled him to study in Rome for four years. In 1828, after publishing his study on the restoration of the Thermae of Caracalla, Blouet was appointed head of the Architecture and Sculpture Section of the French Scientific Mission in the Morea.
After the expedition had ended and the outcomes of its investigation published, Blouet went on a tour of the United States and from 1836 studied and worked on the subject of prison architecture. In 1846 he became professor of the History of Architecture and in 1850 he joined the Academy of Fine Arts.
In 1828, France set up a Scientific Mission to the Peloponnese. The Mission accompanied the French Expedition of the Morea under general Maison, which had been sent to Greece to enforce a truce between the Ottoman and Greek armies. It was created according to the model of the Napoleon's Scientific Mission in Egypt (1798-1801).
Thus the Scientific Mission was comprised of three sections, Natural History, Architecture and Sculpture and Archaeology, under the direction of naturalist, geographer and topographer J.B.G.M. Bory de Saint-Vincent. Blouet was in charge of Architecture and Sculpture, and his team included architects A. Ravoisé and Α. Poirot, sculptor J. B. Vietty and philologist Fr. de Gournay.
They were directed to locate the ancient remains and sites described by Pausanias and Strabo as well as Pouqueville and William Gell, and to draw maps and topographical drawings, delineate the antiquities, study the ancient materials of construction, and record their itinerary and their observations on the natural environment.
In spite of the difficulties and adversities faced by the Expedition, from March 1829 to January 1830 Bory De Saint Vincent and his collaborators achieved to collect and present the relevant material with astonishing speed and punctuality, responding fully to the demands of the French authorities. The outcomes were published in a series of volumes.
The Section of Architecture and Sculpture toured the Peloponnese, Cyclades islands and Attica. Despite the fact that three of five team members became ill and had to return to France in May 1829, Blouet and his assistant Ravoisé pursued and completed their assignment. The outcome of their investigation was published in three monumental volumes (1831, 1843, 1838), which became a work of reference to all subsequent researchers.
The expedition toured and delineated monuments and sights in the following locations: Navarino, Methoni, Koroni, Petalidi, Nissi, Androusa, ancient Messene, Arcadia (Kyparissia), Samiko, Olympia (especially important are the drawings of the temple of Zeus on the site), Phigaleia, Gortyna, Karytaina, Lycosoura, Megalopolis, Leontari, Mystras, Sparta, Tegea, Mantineia, Tripolitsa, Argos, Tiryns, Mycenae, Nafplio, Epidaurus, Troezen, Kastri, Didyma. They subsequently toured Syros, Tinos, Myconos, Delos, Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, Milos and Aegina islands, and cape Sounion. In another tour of the Peloponnese, they visited Mycenae, Nemea, Corinth, Sicyon, Aigion, Patras, Palaiopolis, Arcadia, Methoni, Kalamata, Cape Tainaron, Gytheio, Monemvasia, Astros, Loukou, Epidaurus and Athens. The delineations were completed in the wider area of Attica (Piraeus, Eleusis and Megara).
It is important to note that the mission did not limit itself to the monuments of archaic and classical antiquity. It included in its investigation the Frankish castles, Byzantine and medieval churches, modern villages and natural environment. The work of the French Scientific Mission was a landmark in the study of Greek territory, and inaugurated the systematic scientific study of ancient monuments.
Written by Ioli Vingopoulou
BLOUET, Guillaume-Abel - Nemea
BLOUET, Guillaume-Abel - Rest Images
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Reconstruction of the façade of the temple of Zeus at ancient Olympia.
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Reconstruction of the Hellenistic tritons mosaic at the pronaos of the temple of Zeus.
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Plan of the temple of Zeus at Olympia, as seen by the French Scientific Mission in 1829.
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The Arcadian Gate at the walls of ancient Messene: Reconstruction of the interior.
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The Arcadian Gate at the walls of ancient Messene: Reconstruction of the exterior.
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The Arcadian Gate at the walls of ancient Messene. 1. View of the exterior. 2. View of the interior.
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View and plan of the Arcadian Gate at the walls of ancient Messene (reconstruction).
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View and plan of the horseshoe-shaped tower at the northwestern wall of ancient Messene (Tower 6).
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Reconstruction of square tower at the walls of ancient Messene: Section and plan.
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1. The Laconic Gate of the walls of ancient Messene. 2. Part of the walls of ancient Messene
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Architectural and decorative features of monuments of ancient Messene.
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1. Landscape at Phigaleia. 2,3. View and plan of part of the fortifications of ancient Phigaleia.
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Reconstruction of the façade of the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae.
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Fragments of the sculptures of the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae.
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Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae: Architectural features of the cornice.
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Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae: Reconstruction and ceiling plan of part of the panels.
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Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae: Reconstruction and ceiling plan of part of the panels.
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The interior of the temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, 1829.
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Reconstruction of the flanks of the temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae.
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Topographic map of Phigaleia, Peloponnese. “L” shows the site of the temple of Apollo Epicurius.
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Reconstruction and details of architectural features of columns, Megalopolis.
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Topographical map of the surrounding area of the stadium or hippodrome on Mount Lykaion, Arcadia.
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1. View of Carytaina. 2. The bridge of Carytaina, Byzantine monument of the 15th century.
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View of the interior of the temple Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, 1829.
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Reconstruction of the entrance to the cella of the temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae.
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Reconstruction of the entrance to the pronaos at the temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae.
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Section of the Tholos tomb of Mycenae or Treasury of Atreus.
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View of the ancient theatre of Sparta, with reconstruction of the retaining wall and the seats.
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Section of the Tholos tomb of Mycenae or Treasury of Atreus.
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Plan and architectural features of the Tholos tomb of Mycenae or Treasury of Atreus.
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Lion Gate, Mycenae: 1,3. Front and rear view of the Lion relief. 2. Plan. 4. Section (rear view).
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Fragment of triglyph from Sparta. Views and plans of ancient and modern buildings at Sparta.
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Roman sarcophagus with reliefs at the court of the church of Hagios Dimitrios, Mystras.
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1. Topographic map of ancient Samicum in Elis. 2. Plan of Samicum acropolis.
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Landscape at Lepreum, Elis. In the background, the acropolis.
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1. Topographic map of ancient Lepreum in Elis. 2. Plan of Lepreum acropolis.
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Fragments of sculptures from the temple of Zeus at ancient Olympia.
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Reconstruction of the flanks of the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae.
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View of Mystras. In the background, the castle of William II Villehardouin.
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Side elevation and section of the Heroon at the stadium of ancient Messene (reconstruction).
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Elevation of the Heroon at the stadium of ancient Messene (reconstruction).
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Panoramic view of the stadium and gymnasium of ancient Messene.
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View of the Byzantine monastery of Panagia Samarina at Androusa.
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Section and plan of the Byzantine monastery of Panagia Samarina at Androusa.
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Decorative reliefs of the Venetian era at the castle of Methoni.
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Section of church at Methoni. Frescoes from the same church.
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Section, plan and view of an unidentified church at Osphino, on the route from Pylos to Methoni.
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1. Fountain close to Pylos. 2. Plan of church. 3. Stone bridge at Metaxada, close to Pylos.
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The church of Metamorfosis (formerly a mosque) at Niokastro, Pylos.
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Section and plan of the church of Metamorfosis (formerly a mosque) at Niokastro, Pylos.
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1. Ottoman fountain at Pylos. 2. Water cistern at Pylos. 3. Entrance to Niocastro, Pylos.
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Plan and architectural details of the ancient theatre of Epidaurus.
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The stadium of the Sanctuary of Asclepius, Epidaurus. Plan of the site, architectural features.
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Architectural features and inscription from the Sanctuary of Asclepius, Epidaurus.
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Architectural features from the Sanctuary of Asclepius, Epidaurus.
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Architectural features from the Sanctuary of Asclepius, Epidaurus.
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Architectural features from the Sanctuary of Asclepius, Epidaurus.
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Plan of columns and decorative features of the Stoa of Antigonus Gonatas at Delos island.
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Antiquities from Delos island, which the author saw on Syros island.
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Funerary steles from Delos island, which the author saw on Syros island.
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1. Sphinx from Delos which the author saw on Aegina island. 2. Statuettes from Delos.
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Antiquities from Delos island, which the author saw on Aegina island.
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Portara, or Gate of the temple of Apollo, Naxos island: View, section and architectural features.
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Plan of the Roman theatre of Milos with details of the retaining wall.
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Reconstruction and architectural features of the Roman theatre of Milos.
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View of the entrance, section and plan of the Christian catacombs, Milos island.
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Temple of Poseidon at Sounion: Section and architectural features of anta and Doric column.
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Temple of Poseidon at Sounion: Reconstruction of the entrance to the pronaos.
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Reconstruction of the temple of Poseidon at Sounion with the Propylaea.
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Section and plan of the archaeological site of Colona, Aegina island.
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Reliefs seen by the author at the Kapodistrias Museum on Aegina island.
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Funerary steles seen by the author at the Kapodistrias Museum on Aegina island.
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Clay figurine and vase seen by the author at the Kapodistrias Museum on Aegina island.
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Temple of Aphaia, Aegina island: 1. Elevation. 2, 3: Lateral section of pronaos and opisthodomos.
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Temple of Aphaia, Aegina island. Sections of the northern and southern sides.
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Temple of Aphaia, Aegina island: Architectural features and reconstruction of column parts.
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Temple of Aphaia, Aegina island: Palmette antefixes and other architectural features. Inscription.
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Temple of Aphaia, Aegina island: Elevation of the temple façade (eastern side), reconstructed.
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Temple of Aphaia, Aegina island: Elevation of the pronaos (reconstructed).
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Western pediment of the temple of Aphaia, Aegina island. 1. Telamon 2. Laomedon.
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Western pediment of the temple of Aphaia, Aegina island. 1, 2: Heracles.
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Western pediment of the temple of Aphaia, Aegina island. 1, 2: Warriors.
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Temple of Aphaia, Aegina island: Fragments of the pediments. 3, 4: Acroterion.
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Temple of Aphaia, Aegina island. 1. Trojan warrior. 2. Aeneas.
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Eastern pediment of the temple of Aphaia, Aegina island. 1. Teucrus. 2. Achilles.
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Eastern pediment of the temple of Aphaia, Aegina island. 1. Goddess Athena. 2. Patroclus.
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Eastern pediment of the temple of Aphaia, Aegina island. 1. Hector. 2. Pares.
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Eastern pediment of the temple of Aphaia, Aegina island. 1. Telamon. 2. Greek warrior.
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View of ancient Corinth with the Temple of Apollo and Acrocorinth.
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Elevation of the façade of the temple of Apollo at ancient Corinth.
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Topographical map of ancient Sicyon, with the sites of the ancient theatre and the stadium.
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Medieval inscriptions and relief seen by the author at the castle of Patras.
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Roman antiquities seen by the author at the Monastery of Loukou, Cynouria, Peloponnese.
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The Library of Hadrian, Athens, with the now-lost small church of Hagios Asomatos “sta Skalia”.
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The Gate of Athena Archegetis (Pazaroporta) at Plaka, Athens.
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Horologion of Andronikos Kyrristos or Tower of the Winds, Plaka, Athens.
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The Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens. In the background, the Acropolis.
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The Acropolis of Athens from the south. On the right, the temple of Olympian Zeus.