CATHEDRAL de LAUSANNE
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND 
 
Plan, elevation and section for detail of dormer window of central tower
Ink and watercolor on paper
Dated December 2, 1872
Signed lower right
20 x 21 inches

Dating to the year 1170, Lausanne Cathedral is considered by many to be the finest example of Gothic architecture in all of Switzerland.  It is particularly well known for its rose window dating to the 13th century, which is itself considered a masterpiece of European artistic heritage. 

The cathedral was consecrated in 1275 and underwent considerable physical changes during the Reformation in the 1500's.  Subsequent restorations took place in the 18th and 19th centuries.  This drawing was prepared as part of the restoration spearheaded by the french architect Viollet-le-Duc in the late 1800's.  Viollet-le-Duc was most famous for his restorations of Gothic structures throughout Europe including that of Notre Dame in Paris.

Exhibited:
Competition entry for Vienna Exposition Universelle 1873

ArchiTech Gallery - Two Centuries: An Architectural Evolution - January 8 through May 29, 2010

Provenance:
From a private european collection
Kelmscott Gallery

IMAGE

SARCOPHAGUS FOR THE STATUE OF DAGOBERT
ABBEY CHURCH OF SAINT-DENIS

Design for the carved apron of the Dagobert tomb
Pen, ink, and pink watercolor on wove paper
Circa 1860's
Drawn by Viollet-le-Duc
16 1/4 x 12 inches

ZOOM

HOTEL de VILLE (PARIS CITY HALL)
PARIS, FRANCE
 
Design for carved stone "RF" (Republic Francaise)

Drawn by Louis Villeminot
Identified with ink notation / monogram lower right
Pencil on paper
Undated - Circa 1872
Approx. 6 3/4 x 8 inches

ZOOM

Dating back to 1533, The Hôtel de Ville was enlarged in 1803 and again from 1837 to 1841.  In 1871, following the Franco-Prussian war, and during a continued period of great political unrest, the Paris Commune took control of the local government for a period of two months, and placed their headquarters in the building.

Government forces  were dispatched from Versaille to Paris to battle the Commune, whose attempts to resist were ultimately unsuccessful.  But in the process,  the Commune set fire to several symbolic monuments in the city: the Tuileries Palace, The Cour des Comptes (Audit office) and the Hôtel de Ville.  The fire raged within the Hotel de Ville for eight days, gutting the building, and completely destroying the city's archives and many of its art treasures.

After the fall of the Commune, the government decided to rebuild the Hôtel de Ville. A competition was held and was won by two architects, Ballu and Deperthes who had opted for an identical exterior reconstruction while changing the interior substantially.  This drawing was created as part of the competition, however its creators did not win the commission.

ST. GERMAIN l'AUXERROIS
PARIS, FRANCE
 
Two angels supporting a coat of arms above the principle entrance to the tower
Pencil on tan paper
18 x 14 1/2 inches
Inscribed in Viollet-le-Duc's hand to Louis Villeminot

Provenance:
From a private collection

IMAGE

   ZOOM

DESIGN FOR A CARVED STONE TYMPANUM

Pencil on tan paper
7 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches
Dated 1881
Drawn by Louis Villeminot