Biography

French architect, regarded as the pioneer of early Classicism in southern Germany. He initially worked as a carpenter, but also as a bricklayer, stonemason, locksmith and mirror-maker, and was trained by the Paris architect Jacques-François Blondel (1681-1756). He followed his teacher Jean Nicolas Servandoni (1695-1766) to Stuttgart in 1763.

In the same year, Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Hohenzollern-Hechingen commissioned him to renovate his residence in Hechingen. It was the first independent commission for d'Ixnard, and he executed it to full satisfaction of the prince. In 1764, he was appointed Director of the Principality of Hohenzollern-Hechingen and created with the Stiftskirche an important building of early Classicism.

This work earned him a reputation as a master builder in the Königsegg forest in Upper Swabia, where he built the Schloss Königseggwald in 1765 and redesigned the outer façade of Aulendorf Palace. For the Elector of Trier, he planned the electoral palace in Koblenz (1777-80). He also led the conversion of the residence of Ellingen (1772-75) and made the plans for the construction of the town castle of the lords of Speth in Gammertingen.

In addition to the princely residences, d'Ixnard also made a name for itself as a church and monastery architect. Among his most famous works is the Benedictine abbey church of St. Blasien, built in 1768-83. In 1780-83 d'Ixnard built the town and monastery church of St. Jakob in Hechingen.