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Pavillon Suisse, Cité Universitaire, Paris

Photograph
1950 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Pavillon Suisse, part of the Cité Universitaire, Paris, was designed by Le Corbusier between 1930 and 1933. Strong diagonals and concentration upon details were hallmarks of a modern approach to architectural photography that blossomed in the 1930s. Architects such as Le Corbusier recognised the potential of photography not only to record but also to publicise their work. This photograph by Lucien Hervé, Le Corbusier’s favoured photographer, enhances perception of the building, emphasising its clean lines and delicate poise.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Pavillon Suisse, Cité Universitaire, Paris (assigned by artist)
  • Swiss Pavilion, City University, Paris (alternative title)
Materials and techniques
Gelatin-silver print
Brief description
Photograph by Lucien Herve, depicting a corner of the Pavillon Suisse, Cite Universitaire, Paris [Swiss Pavilion, City University, Paris] by Le Corbusier, gelatin-silver print, 1950
Physical description
A black and white photograph depicting a detail of a corner of a modernist building.
Dimensions
  • Image height: 14.1cm
  • Image width: 12.9cm
  • Sheet height: 30.1cm
  • Sheet width: 22.2cm
Gallery label
The Pavillon Suisse, part of City University, Paris, was designed by Le Corbusier from 1930-32 and photographed here by his favoured photographer. Concentration upon details and strong diagonals was the hallmark of a modern approach to architectural photography that blossomed in the 1930s. Architects such as Le Corbusier recognised the potential of photography not simply to record but also to publicise their works. Hervé's photograph interprets and enhances the perception of the building, evoking the clean lines and delicate poise of the architect's whole approach to building.(22/09/2004)
Subject depicted
Place depicted
Associations
Summary
The Pavillon Suisse, part of the Cité Universitaire, Paris, was designed by Le Corbusier between 1930 and 1933. Strong diagonals and concentration upon details were hallmarks of a modern approach to architectural photography that blossomed in the 1930s. Architects such as Le Corbusier recognised the potential of photography not only to record but also to publicise their work. This photograph by Lucien Hervé, Le Corbusier’s favoured photographer, enhances perception of the building, emphasising its clean lines and delicate poise.
Bibliographic reference
Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Prints, Drawings and Paintings Accession Register for 1997
Collection
Accession number
E.2288-1997

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Record createdJune 20, 2005
Record URL
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