Un Portail de l'Eglise de Saint Etienne du Mont , Paris, from Vingt Lithographies du Vieux Paris

Samuel Chamberlain, 1924

MEDIUMLithograph in black on cream wove paper
LOCATIONArt Institute of Chicago

Step into a quiet Parisian moment from 1924. This lithograph meticulously renders the ornate portal of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, inviting you to appreciate its historic architecture and the serene atmosphere of a bygone era.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This lithograph captures a quiet, almost reverent view of the portal of the Church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont in Paris. The artist, Samuel Chamberlain, focuses on the intricate architectural details, from the delicate tracery around the archway to the weathered stone textures. The light, likely from an overcast day, softens the scene, allowing the viewer to appreciate the subtle shifts in tone and shadow that define the building's ancient facade. We see a slice of daily life with a few figures passing by, their small scale emphasizing the grandeur and enduring presence of the church itself. This work is part of a series, "Vingt Lithographies du Vieux Paris" (Twenty Lithographs of Old Paris), created in 1924, which reflects a fascination with the city's historic architecture and a desire to preserve its memory on paper.

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What to Notice

1

The delicate, almost lace-like stone carving above the arch.

2

The subtle texture of the ancient, worn stones on the church facade.

3

The small, silhouetted figures near the bottom, suggesting scale.

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Audio Deep Dive

Step into a quiet Parisian moment from 1924. This lithograph meticulously renders the ornate portal of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, inviting you to appreciate its hi…

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THE ARTIST
Samuel Chamberlain 1895–1975 · United States

Samuel Chamberlain, also known as Phineas Beck, captured the intricate beauty of old European cities in his lithographs, like his 1924 series "Vingt Lithographies du Vieux Paris."

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