Lescot, Pierre

Lescot, Pierre (pyĕr lĕskō`), c.1510–1578, French Renaissance architect. Appointed by Francis I to design a new royal palace in Paris, he built the earliest portions of what was later to become the vast palace of the Louvre. In this, as in other known works, the fine sculptural decorations were executed by Jean Goujon. To Lescot is attributed the original design of the Hôtel Carnavalet in Paris, later altered by François Mansart. His work is marked by the correct use of classical detail. Instead of following the monumental style of the Italians, Lescot created a more decorative interpretation of antiquity, distinguishing himself as one of the founders of the French tradition of classicism.