Jean de la Vallée 1624–1696

Jean de la Vallée was awarded a scholarship by Queen Kristina. This enabled him to travel to Europe for four years to study new cultural expressions, with the aim of beautifying Swedish architecture. He had the opportunity to demonstrate his skills in connection with the queen's coronation in 1650. For example, a triumphal arch was erected on Norrmalmstorg (now Gustav Adolfs Torg), which was a copy of the Arch of Constantine in Rome.

His most productive period began during the reign of King Karl X Gustav. Two central-plan churches – Katarina Church and Hedvig Eleonora Church – were built. Apartments were created for Queen Hedvig Eleonora at Gripsholm Castle. It was intended that Stockholm Palace would be transformed into a Baroque palace based on Roman and French models. Measurements were taken from the old castle and remodelling plans were drawn up, but they were never realised.

Alongside these royal commissions, Chancellor Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie was another major client.

When King Karl X died in 1660, de la Vallée lost his position as royal architect to Nikodemus Tessin the Elder.

Sketch: Stockholm's old palace. Proposal for a new room layout on the upper floor of the west wing by Jean de la Vallée, 1657. East downwards.