Artist: Charles Thys (French, 20th Century)
Technique: Original Etching (Hand-Signed in Pencil)
Dimensions: Plate size 16x23 cm
Status: Hand-signed by the artist in pencil in the bottom right margin. Titled in pencil in the bottom left margin. Excellent vintage condition with clean architectural details.
About the Artwork:
This original hand-signed etching by French artist Charles Thys presents a striking architectural view of Paris, featuring the iconic La Sainte-Chapelle alongside the grand facade of the Palais de Justice. The composition is framed beautifully by the dense, dark foliage of a tree in the upper right foreground, creating a dramatic contrast with the finely detailed Gothic spire and classical dome. Captured from street level, the print includes miniature silhouettes of figures walking along the promenade, giving a wonderful sense of scale and Parisian atmosphere. Executed with precise line work and rich tonal aquatint shading, this piece is a classic example of mid-20th-century French architectural printmaking, making it a highly desirable collectible for lovers of historic Paris and fine etchings.
About the Artwork Subject:
La Sainte-Chapelle is a masterpiece of Rayonnant Gothic architecture, commissioned by King Louis IX in the 13th century to house the Relics of the Passion, including Christ's Crown of Thorns. Located on the Ile de la Cite, it is nestled within the sprawling complex of the historic Palais de Justice, which served as the medieval royal palace and later became the heart of the French judicial system. This etching captures the historical coexistence of royal religious devotion and civil law in the heart of Paris.