Artwork

Paris in 1867: View from the Trocadéro

Paris in 1867: View from the Trocadéro, by Maxime Lalanne, ink, 1867
Paris in 1867: View from the Trocadéro, by Maxime Lalanne, ink, 1867

Paris in 1867: View from the Trocadéro is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Maxime Lalanne. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1867, this etching on chine collé by French printmaker Maxime Lalanne offers a wide‑angle view of Paris as seen from the Trocadéro. The composition captures the city’s riverfront, bustling promenades, and distant architectural landmarks, presenting a snapshot of mid‑nineteenth‑century urban life.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays a lively riverside scene: pedestrians stroll along a quay, vessels navigate the Seine, and a prominent tower rises on the horizon. Industrial activity is hinted at by a chimney’s plume, while the sky is lightly clouded, suggesting a typical day in the capital’s public space.

Technique & Style

Lalanne employed fine, closely spaced lines characteristic of mid‑1800s etching, rendering textures from clothing to architectural detail. The chine collé support—a thin paper adhered to a sturdier backing—allows delicate line work while preserving the print’s structural integrity, a method favored for its crispness.

History & Provenance

Executed the same year as the Exposition Universelle, the print reflects contemporary interest in documenting Paris’s modernization. Lalanne, known for his topographical prints, produced the work for the market of collectors seeking accurate visual records of the city’s evolving landscape.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Maxime Lalanne

Artist

Maxime Lalanne

François Antoine Maxime Lalanne (November 27, 1827 – July 29, 1886) was a French artist known for his etchings and charcoal drawings (fusain).

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.