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Coping of the gutters above the pediments, Paris Opera

Photograph
1864-1867 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Louis-Emile Durandelle photographed the stages of construction of the new opera house in Paris. The Opéra was designed by Charles Garnier and built between 1861 and 1874. Durandelle’s series of images show the façade as a whole, the stone masons at work and studies of their decorative chisel-work, such as the freshly carved piece seen here. These were then heaved into place. Images such as this convey the scale of the monumental coordinated task of building by showing the isolated parts that go to make the massive whole.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Coping of the gutters above the pediments, Paris Opera (alternative title)
  • Couronnement des chéneaux des frontons, Paris Opera (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Albumen print from collodion negative
Brief description
Photograph by Delmaet and Durandelle, 'Couronnement des chéneaux des frontons, Paris Opera' [Coping of the gutters above the pediments, Paris Opera], 1 of 47 photographs recording the construction and decoration of the Palais Garnier, albumen print from collodion negative, Paris, 1864-1867
Physical description
Photograph of large architectural decorationsin a workshop on site, ready to be placed on the Paris Opera building.
Dimensions
  • Image height: 27.2cm
  • Image width: 38.5cm
Dimensions taken from Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Prints, Drawings and Paintings Accession Register for 1990
Production typeUnlimited edition
Marks and inscriptions
'Photographie de Delmaet & Durandelle, 22, Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, Portraits et reproductions' (Stamped)
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
Louis-Emile Durandelle photographed the stages of construction of the new opera house in Paris. The Opéra was designed by Charles Garnier and built between 1861 and 1874. Durandelle’s series of images show the façade as a whole, the stone masons at work and studies of their decorative chisel-work, such as the freshly carved piece seen here. These were then heaved into place. Images such as this convey the scale of the monumental coordinated task of building by showing the isolated parts that go to make the massive whole.
Bibliographic references
  • Desjours, Jean. Le grand oeuvre: photographies des grands travaux: 1860-1900. Paris: Centre national de la photographie, 1984.
  • Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Prints, Drawings and Paintings Accession Register for 1990
Collection
Accession number
E.2319-1990

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Record createdFebruary 7, 2004
Record URL
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