La salle des pas-perdus à l'ancien Palais-de-Justice, Paris (The Antechamber of the Palace of Justice, Paris)

1855

Charles Meryon

Associated Names
Charles Meryon

Artist, French, 1821 - 1868

This is a drawing of an architectural interior. The image depicts the interior of a large vaulted structure with rows of columns dividing the space into two expansive aisles. These aisles are topped with a series of semi-circular arches supported by tall, slender pillars, giving the ceiling the appearance of vaulted domes. The walls are adorned with statues fitted into niches, while large arched windows run along the upper part of the walls, allowing natural light to enter. Numerous figures at the ground level suggest a bustling atmosphere. The detailed perspective emphasizes the grandeur and the complex geometric patterns of the ceiling and support beams.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 29.3 × 43.7 cm (11 9/16 × 17 3/16 in.)
    sheet: 40.3 × 55.4 cm (15 7/8 × 21 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.6677

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Schneiderman 1990, no. 51, State iii/iv

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1931

  • Prints and Drawings Relating to Lawyers and the Law, organized for the 54th annual Convention of the American Bar Association, Atlantic City Auditorium, 1931, no. 139, repro.

Bibliography

1924

  • Delteil, Loys and Harold J.L. Wright. Catalogue raisonne of the Etchings of Charles Meryon. New York: Winfred Porter Truesdell, 1924.

1990

  • Schneiderman, Richard S. The Catalogue Raisonne of the Prints by Charles Meryon. London: Garton & Co., 1990.

Inscriptions

"C. Meryon sculp. d'après la pièce originale de Ducerceau, due à l'obligeance de Monsieur DeStailleur, architecte" lower right composition, in plate, artist's hand. "Paris, M.D.CCC.LV." lower right composition, in plate, artist's hand. "Vue de la Grande Salle du Palais avant l'incendie de 1618...épreuve d'Artiste...il n'en existe qui huit carni" lower margin, graphite, artist's hand. "1er. Etat avec l'enscription et [illeg] la [illeg.] coupée au las de trait carré" lower margin, graphite, unknown hand. "[illeg.] de 2e cloud en 1876 un frame a [illeg.]" lower margin, graphite, unknown hand. "D-W 48 III" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "17-76" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "A. 1636" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "100.-" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand.

Markings

"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).

Watermarks

None.

Wikidata ID

Q65019246

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