Projet du Portail de l'Eglise de St. Sulpice de Paris (Design for the Portal of the Church of St. Sulpice of Paris), plate 105, in Oeuvres de Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier (Works by Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier)
Classification
architecture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-212-63
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier (1695–1750), a visionary Franco-Italian architect and designer, created this intricate *Projet du Portail de'Eglise de St. Sulpice de Paris* 1748 as plate 105 in his publication *Oeuvres de Just-Aurèle Meissonnier*. Born in Turin, Italy, Meissier rose to prominence in 18th-century Paris, embodying the exuberant Rococo style with its playful asymmetry, scrolling motifs, and sculptural fantasy. This architectural design captures his flair for opulent church portals, envisioning a grand entrance for the iconic St. Sulpice, a Baroque masterpiece whose construction spanned ...