Artwork
Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Jean-François Raffaëlli. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Jean-François Raffaëlli's 1899 oil painting, Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris, depicts the historic urban square and the Royal Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the city of Paris. The work functions as a topographical record of the location, capturing the specific street scene and architectural presence of the famous abbey within the broader city environment. As a representation of this specific Parisian landmark, the painting documents the intersection of the public square and the religious institution, grounding the viewer in the physical reality of the site as it appeared at the turn of the twentieth century.
Technique & Style
Jean-François Raffaëlli executed Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris in 1899 using oil paint applied to a canvas support.
Jean-François Raffaëlli executed Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris in 1899 using oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 69.9 centimetres in height and 80 centimetres in width. The piece depicts the urban scene surrounding the Royal Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the adjacent street, consistent with the artist's approach to capturing Parisian street life during the late nineteenth century.
History & Provenance
Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris was created by Jean-François Raffaëlli in 1899, executed in oil paint on canvas. The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains held and on view. No intermediate owners, commission details, or earlier provenance steps are documented in the available sources.
Overview
Jean-François Raffaëlli's "Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris," an oil painting from 1899, captures a vibrant street scene in the French capital. This work by the French realist painter and printmaker, known for his association with Impressionism, is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. It offers a detailed glimpse into daily life around the historic Royal Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Context
Jean-François Raffaëlli, a French artist, established his reputation as a realist painter and printmaker. While primarily known for his detailed depictions of contemporary life, often focusing on working-class subjects, he also engaged with the Impressionist movement. This painting reflects his interest in portraying specific urban environments and their inhabitants, bridging observational realism with an impressionistic capture of light and atmosphere.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-François Raffaëlli (April 20, 1850 – February 11, 1924) was a French realist painter, sculptor, and printmaker who exhibited with the Impressionists. He was also active as an actor and writer.
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