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A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs

Thomas Girtin , 1802

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs, by Thomas Girtin, 1802
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs, by Thomas Girtin, 1802

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs is a print by the Romanticist artist Thomas Girtin. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.
1950.219.10
Credit line
Dudley P. Allen Fund

About this work

Overview

Created in 1802, this watercolour by English artist Thomas Girtin forms part of a series titled A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris. The print presents a view of the Porte Saint‑Denis as seen from the surrounding suburbs, offering a snapshot of early‑19th‑century Parisian life and architecture.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the grand stone arch of the Porte Saint‑Denis, an 18th‑century triumphal gateway, framed by a bustling street scene. Figures on foot, horse‑drawn carriages, and shopfronts with hanging signs animate the space, illustrating the coexistence of monumental architecture and everyday activity in the city’s outskirts.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, Girtin employs a restrained palette and delicate washes to convey atmospheric light and depth. Fine brushwork renders the ornate façades, balconies, and columns, while broader strokes suggest movement among the crowd and traffic, reflecting the artist’s skill in balancing detail with overall mood.

History & Provenance

Girtin produced this view during a period of both rivalry and camaraderie with fellow British watercolourist J. M. W. Turner, a time when the medium was gaining critical acceptance. The work was originally issued as part of a printed collection of Parisian vistas, and later entered museum collections as an example of early Romantic urban landscape painting.

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs, Thomas Girtin

Artist & collection

Portrait of Thomas Girtin

Artist

Thomas Girtin

Thomas Girtin (18 February 1775 – 9 November 1802) was an English watercolourist and etcher. A friend and rival of J. M. W. Turner, Girtin played a key role in establishing watercolour as a reputable art form.

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs?

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs was painted by Thomas Girtin in 1802.

Where can I see A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs?

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs?

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Gate of St. Denis taken from the Suburbs is associated with Romanticism.