Artwork

House in Pau

House in Pau, by Unknown, 1854
House in Pau, by Unknown, 1854

House in Pau is a photography by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

You see a large, square stone house in Pau, France. Heavy shadows fall on one side. A small garden with a low wall sits in front.

This isn’t a painting—it’s one of the few photos known from 1854 by a mystery photographer. Only 24 works survive from this person. Instead of a straight-on view, the angle shows depth and texture in the stone.

Try looking up W.H.G. (French) next.

Overview

House in Pau is a photograph from 1854 by W.H.G., a mysterious photographer who worked briefly in Pau and the surrounding Pyrenees region. The image is one of 24 known compositions attributed to this artist.

Subject & Meaning

The photograph depicts a large stone house in Pau, France, captured from an oblique angle that emphasizes its volume and the contrast between light and shadow.

Technique & Style

The image showcases the photographer's understanding of the waxed paper negative process, using it to convey texture, detail, and the interplay of light and shade.

History & Provenance

W.H.G., possibly French, was active in Pau for a limited time in 1854, producing a body of work that includes architectural details and buildings set within landscapes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

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