Jean-Jacques Huvé

He was the first of nine children born to Jean Huvé (1707-1785), a clerk for the tax-farmer, Charles Savalette [fr], and his wife, Catherine née Delaire (1714-1786).

[1] He began his career under the sponsorship of the Savalettes, who employed him at their Château de Magnanville [fr] and encouraged his studies at an architectural school operated by Jacques-François Blondel.

Thanks to a recommendation from Cardinal de Bernis, in 1777 he was named Inspector for the Bâtiments du roi, and served in that capacity until the Revolution.

[2] His duties included caring for the King's stables, kennels and "Potager du Roi" (kitchen garden) at Versailles Palace.

He was still entrusted with minor matters, such as transforming the Grand Commun [fr] into an arms factory, and finding the missing jewels of Madame du Barry.

Later, he exhibited his views of Italy at the Salon and, in 1800, entered a competition to design a monumental column for the Place de la Concorde.