Artwork

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs is a print by the Romanticist artist Girtin. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St.

About this work

Overview

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs is a print created by Thomas Girtin in 1803. It is one of twenty views of Paris showcasing the artist's skill in capturing urban scenes.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a busy Parisian street scene, featuring the Gate of St. Denis. Tall, narrow buildings line the street, with people walking, carts being pulled, and horses standing near loaded wagons. The scene conveys a sense of urban activity.

Technique & Style

Girtin employed chiaroscuro, a technique that contrasts light and shadow, to create a sense of depth and solidity in the buildings and activity in the street. This approach was characteristic of early 19th-century art.

History & Provenance

The print is part of a series created during a period marked by Girtin's rivalry and friendship with J. M. W. Turner. It is now held in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Girtin

Thomas Girtin (18 February 1775 – 9 November 1802) was an English watercolourist and etcher. A friend and rival of J. M. W. Turner, Girtin played a key role in establishing watercolour as a reputable art form.