Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Sopon Bezirdjian. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1850 by Sopon Bezirdjian, this pen and watercolour drawing functions as an architectural plan for the Étoile Casino.
Created in 1850 by Sopon Bezirdjian, this pen and watercolour drawing functions as an architectural plan for the Étoile Casino. Rendered as a floor layout, the work presents a star‑shaped configuration with a central circular foyer and peripheral rooms labeled for various functions such as café and entrance. The composition is bounded by a faint, undulating margin, while the title appears in bold lettering at the bottom of the sheet.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing records the spatial organization of a leisure venue designed in a radiating star form, a layout intended to guide patrons through distinct zones. Labels identify service areas and circulation paths, revealing the architect’s concern for functional clarity and visitor movement within the entertainment complex.
Technique & Style
Executed with fine pen lines complemented by watercolor washes, the plan balances precision and visual depth. Cross‑hatching and subtle shading convey the hierarchy of spaces, while small red marks highlight key points of interest. The overall effect resembles a technical diagram, yet the hand‑drawn qualities retain a tactile, investigative character.
History & Provenance
The work originates from the mid‑nineteenth century, a period when detailed hand‑drawn plans were essential for constructing public venues. It remains attributed to Bezirdjian, whose name appears on the drawing, and it has been preserved as a primary source for the original design of the Étoile Casino, offering insight into contemporary architectural practice.
Context
During the 1850s, casino architecture often incorporated elaborate geometries to attract clientele and facilitate social interaction. The star‑shaped plan reflects broader trends in entertainment architecture that emphasized symmetry, spectacle, and efficient circulation, aligning the Étoile Casino with similar European leisure establishments of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sopon Bezirdjian was a draftsman working between 1850 and 1900. He left behind an untitled drawing from that span, a spare sheet of lines that sits in the tradition of 19th-century studio practice. The work shows how…
Untitled
The Fifth Knot (with a six-pointed white shield)
The Fourth Knot (combining seven circular groups of knots with black centers)
The Sixth Knot (combining seven small systems of knots with black centers)
The Third Knot (with a black circle on a white medallion)
Ornament
Untitled
"Myrane" et "Les Chapons"
Fourth Knot
Untitled
Ornament
Night