Who painted Remains of the Residence of the Duc de Montmorency?

Remains of the Residence of the Duc de Montmorency was painted by Scarlett Davis in 1831.

Where can I see Remains of the Residence of the Duc de Montmorency?

Remains of the Residence of the Duc de Montmorency is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Remains of the Residence of the Duc de Montmorency?

Remains of the Residence of the Duc de Montmorency is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Remains of the Residence of the Duc de Montmorency?

Museum-quality prints of Remains of the Residence of the Duc de Montmorency are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Remains of the Residence of the Duc de Montmorency

Scarlett Davis , 1831

Remains of the Residence of the Duc de Montmorency is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Scarlett Davis. It dates from 1831 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Scarlett Davis’s 1831 watercolor records the remains of the former ducal residence of the Duc de Montmorency, situated close to the Louvre. The composition captures a narrow Parisian street lined with weathered structures, where fragments of the once‑grand hôtel particulier are still visible. A few pedestrians in period attire traverse the scene, lending a sense of everyday life amid the decay.

Subject & Meaning

The work documents the transitional state of a noble townhouse after its demolition, reflecting on the passage of time and the changing urban fabric of early‑19th‑century Paris. By focusing on the crumbling walls and the ordinary figures moving nearby, Davis juxtaposes historical grandeur with the mundane continuity of city life.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, the piece employs a restrained palette of browns, grays, and muted tones that convey the somber atmosphere of the ruins. Davis manipulates light and shadow to model forms, creating depth through chiaroscuro despite the medium’s inherent softness. The delicate washes emphasize the texture of weathered stone and the fleeting presence of the passersby.

History & Provenance

Signed and dated by the artist on the sheet, the watercolor likely portrays the site formerly known as rue Saint‑Avoye, now rue de Temple, where the ducal hôtel once stood before its removal. The drawing remains a valuable visual record of a lost architectural landmark in Paris, preserving its memory for subsequent generations.

Near Beverley, Yorkshire, the Minster in the Distance, Peter De Wint

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Artist & collection

Artist

Scarlett Davis

Scarlett Davis? She shows up in the 1830s sale catalogues because she slipped watercolour sketches of half-ruined châteaux into the margins of aristocrats’ letters. The Duc de Montmorency’s former home is still damp on…