Artwork
Theatre de la Porte St Martin
Theatre de la Porte St Martin is a watercolor work on paper by Lake Price. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Threatre de la Porte St Martin is a watercolour painting created by William Lake Price in 1850, featuring a depiction of the titular Parisian theatre.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is the Theatre de la Porte St Martin, portrayed with attention to architectural detail, including a flat roof, tall entrance columns, arched windows, and decorative carvings. The scene includes people in period attire and a horse-drawn carriage, conveying a sense of everyday life.
Technique & Style
Price employed soft, muted colours and loose brushstrokes to capture the theatre's appearance, with noticeable wear on the building's walls. The overall effect is lively yet subtly faded.
History & Provenance
The work is signed by the artist and dated to 1850. Further provenance details are not provided.
Context
As part of Price's urban scenes portfolio, this piece reflects his interest in documenting city life and architecture during the mid-19th century.
Legacy
The painting's legacy is tied to its representation of a historical Parisian landmark and its place within Price's collection of urban landscapes, though specific impact or notable exhibitions are not detailed.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Frederick Lake Price (1810–1896) was an English watercolourist and an innovator in mid-nineteenth-century photography.
