Artwork

Rue St. Lazare 56, Maison de Paul Delaroche et Horace Vernet

Rue St. Lazare 56, Maison de Paul Delaroche et Horace Vernet, by Adolphe Théodore Jules Martial Potémont, ink, 1842
Rue St. Lazare 56, Maison de Paul Delaroche et Horace Vernet, by Adolphe Théodore Jules Martial Potémont, ink, 1842

Rue St. Lazare 56, Maison de Paul Delaroche et Horace Vernet is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Adolphe Théodore Jules Martial Potémont. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Rue St.

About this work

Overview

Rue St. Lazare 56, Maison de Paul Delaroche et Horace Vernet is an 1842 etching on wove paper by Adolphe Théodore Jules Martial Potémont, depicting a Parisian courtyard scene.

Subject & Meaning

The etching portrays a narrow courtyard between two tall buildings, one featuring a balcony with two figures and the other characterized by arched windows and a dark doorway with a bench. The scene captures everyday life in a Parisian setting, potentially referencing the residences of noted artists Paul Delaroche and Horace Vernet.

Technique & Style

Potémont employed etching techniques to achieve textured walls and a wet/muddy ground through fine lines and shading, creating a three-dimensional effect with emphasis on light and shadow. Minute details, such as plants and window shutters, enhance realism.

History & Provenance

Created in 1842, the etching's provenance and exhibition history are not detailed here, focusing instead on its creation during a period of artistic innovation in Paris.

Context

The work reflects 19th-century Parisian urban life and possibly the artistic community, given the reference to Delaroche and Vernet, both prominent figures in French art.

Legacy

The etching's impact or influence on subsequent artists or movements is not specified, though it contributes to the historical record of Parisian life and etching techniques of its time.

Artist & collection

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