André Godard

André Godard (21 January 1881 – 31 July 1965) was a French archaeologist, architect and historian of French and Middle Eastern Art. He served as the director of the Iranian Archeological Service for many years.

Life Godard was a graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts of Paris, he studied Middle Eastern archaeology, particularly that of Iran, and later became known for designing the National Museum of Iran, where he was appointed inaugural director in 1936. He was also instrumental in the design of the University of Tehran campus.

He made his first trip to the Middle East in 1910 with Henri Violle. Together, they began to excavate the ancient ruins of Samarra, located in modern-day Iraq. The ruins were fully excavated a few years later by German-born archaeologist Ernst Herzfeld. Godard returned to his architectural studies in 1912, focusing on Islamic architecture of Egypt.

After World War I, Godard married Yeda Reuilly. The Delegation of French Archaeology in Afghanistan was subsequently founded in 1922, so Godard and his new wife accompanied the organization to not-yet-excavated regions. They consequently studied Bâmiyân, which was later permitted to be exhibited at the central Buddhist shrine of the Guimet Museum, in 1925.

In 1895, the Qajar government permitted France to excavate in Iran. Five years later, they granted France exclusive rights for all archaeological excavations in Iran indefinitely. In 1923, Reza Khan visited Susa, a major French excavation site in Iran. He was outraged by the sight of a large European castle with a French flag, suggesting militaristic intentions. Reports of French looting further fueled his discontent. Upon becoming shah in 1925, his court minister, Teymourtash, proposed ending the French excavation monopoly and, as a compromise, appointing a French director for a new archaeological institute in Iran. This led to the abolition of the French monopoly in 1927, with Andre Godard appointed as director. The Iranian Parliament voted on April 29, 1928, and approved Godard's five-year contract starting November 18, 1928. Every five years, Parliament extended his contract, mandating monthly educational meetings with Iranian archaeologists and the publication of new archaeological discoveries. The IAS was intended to mark the end of the French monopoly over excavation in Iran.

Godard's architectural creation, the Tomb of Hafez (known as Hafeziyeh) in Shiraz, was nestled in an ancient cemetery within a building complex. He took great care to preserve the historical structures surrounding the tomb, showcasing the site's evolution over time while introducing innovative elements. Drawing inspiration from historic monumental tombs in gardens and Zand architecture in Shiraz, Godard consciously adopted the circular plan and domed columned space characteristic of Iranian tomb towers, which he extensively discussed in his writings and lectures. Construction of the tomb, overseen by Ali Sami, commenced in 1938 and was finalized in 1940. In this period his wife Yedda organized an information radio program on Free France which was broadcast on the Persian radio.

Godard returned to Paris in 1960, where he continued to write on Iranian art. He died in Paris on 31 July 1965.