Paris France 1866 Saint Etienne du Mont Interior and Ornate Rood Screen Lithograph

Description

This Paris church lithograph dated 1866 presents the impressive interior of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont in the Latin Quarter, near the Panthéon.

The principal feature is the church’s remarkable rood screen, known in French as the jubé. Its richly carved gallery spans the space between the nave and choir, while two graceful staircases wind around the supporting pillars. Saint-Étienne-du-Mont is the only Parisian church to have retained its rood screen, making this an especially appealing architectural subject.

The view leads through the nave towards the screen and the distant choir. Tall columns, elaborate vaulting, pendant keystones and galleries give the composition a strong sense of height and depth. The richly decorated pulpit stands prominently on the right.

Visitors and worshippers appear among the rows of wooden chairs, bringing life to the interior and emphasising the scale of the building. Their nineteenth-century clothing adds further historical interest to the scene.

The lithograph combines precise architectural drawing with subtle tonal effects. Carved details, balustrades and the play of light across the stonework are carefully rendered throughout.

The printed credits name Philippe Benoist for the drawing and lithography and Bayot for the figures. An attractive antique print for collectors of historic Paris, ecclesiastical architecture and French religious heritage.

Details:
– Location: Paris 5th arrondissement France.
– Building: Saint-Étienne-du-Mont church.
– Subject: church interior with its ornate rood screen and pulpit.
– Date: 1866.
– Technique: lithography.
– Drawing and lithography: Philippe Benoist.
– Figures: Bayot.
– Sheet dimensions: 44 × 31.5 cm.
– Image dimensions: 35.9 × 26 cm.