Matthieu de la Teulière

A cultivated man and collector of paintings and rare books, Matthieu de la Teulière was Director of the French Academy in Rome from 1684 to 1699, at the instigation of the Marquis de Louvois, who succeeded Colbert. La Teulière had already been in Rome before his appointment.

During his directorship, La Teulière moved the French Academy in Rome from the Palais Caffarelli to the Palais Capranica. During the war years of Louis XIV's reign, La Teulière worked hard to keep the Academy afloat, despite the limited funds available. Despite these efforts, when Mansart replaced Louvois as Superintendent of Buildings, he immediately appointed the painter René-Antoine Houasse as Director of the Academy. Matthieu de la Teulière died in Rome in 1702.