Sculpture of St. Denis, Notre Dame, Paris

1853–54

Not on view

Around 1853, the sculptor Geffroy-Dechaume commissioned Mestral to photograph a series of statues for the cathedral of Notre Dame during its renovation by Viollet-le-Duc. The results belie the commercial nature of the photographs, which are among Mestral's most beautiful productions. Here, St Denis, who was decapitated during his martyrdom, appears both magisterial and surreal as he confronts the viewer with his severed head.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Sculpture of St. Denis, Notre Dame, Paris
Artist: Auguste Mestral (French, Rans 1812–1884 Rans)
Date: 1853–54
Medium: Salted paper print from paper negative
Dimensions: Image: 12 13/16 × 8 7/16 in. (32.6 × 21.5 cm)
Mount: 23 1/8 × 18 3/8 in. (58.7 × 46.7 cm)
Classification: Photographs
Credit Line: Purchase, Alfred Stieglitz Society Gifts, 2017
Object Number: 2017.413
Curatorial Department: Photographs

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[Sculpture of Angel at Sainte-Chapelle, Paris]

Auguste Mestral

1853–1854

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ca. 1855

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