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1844 Arnout View of Pont Neuf, Paris, France
PontNeuf-arnout-1844$175.00
Title
Vue du Pont Neuf.
1844 (dated) 13.5 x 17.75 in (34.29 x 45.085 cm)
1844 (dated) 13.5 x 17.75 in (34.29 x 45.085 cm)
Description
This is an 1844 Jules Arnout view of the Pont Neuf in Paris, France. Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, connects the left and right banks of the Seine with the Ile de la Cité. Parisians are illustrated crossing the bridge on foot and in carriages, while barges transport goods along the Seine. The buildings of the Ile de la Cité occupy the center of the view, with the square towers of Notre Dame appearing at center and the round towers of the Conciergerie (originally part of the Palais de la Cité) identifiable along the left.
Pont Neuf
Composed of two spans, Pont Neuf opened in 1604 and was inaugurated by Henry IV in 1606. During the 18th century Pont Neuf became a gathering place for Parisians. Aristocrats, charlatans, students, grisettes, and vendors of all kinds all mingled on the bridge. The bridge also became notorious pickpockets. The bridge's central place in Parisian life began to decline in the mid-18th century and by the early 19th century became 'just a bridge to be crossed without stopping'. Pont Neuf still holds an important position in French history and culture, and has been recognized as an historic monument by the French Ministry of Culture since 1889.Publication History and Census
This view was drawn by Jules Arnout, printed by Rose Joseph Lemercier, and published by Henri Jeannin in Paris and the Anaglypic Company in London in 1844. We note only one other cataloged example of this view. It is in black and white and is part of the collection at the Musée Carnavalet in Paris, France.CartographerS
Louis-Jules Arnout (June 1, 1814 - September 26, 1882) was a French artist, painter, and lithographer active during the mid-19th century. His father, Jean-Baptiste Arnout (June 24, 1788 - October 5, 1873), taught Jean-Louis the art of lithography as well as painting and other art forms. Arnout created works depicting landscapes and French, Swiss, Italian, and English cities. He displayed his work at the Paris Salon in 1852 and 1865. He died in Toulouse. He had one son, Auguste-Paul Arnout. More by this mapmaker...
Rose-Joseph Lemercier (June 29, 1803 - 1887) was a French photographer, lithographer, and printer. One of the most important Parisian lithographers of the 19th century, Lemercier was born in Paris into a family of seventeen children. His father was a basket maker, and he even began working as a basket maker at the age of fifteen, but Lemercier was drawn to lithography and printing and soon entered into an apprenticeship with Langlumé, where he worked from 1822 until 1825. After working for a handful of other printers, Lemercier started his own firm in 1828 at 2, rue Pierre Sarrazin with only one printing press. He subsequently moved a few more times before arriving at 57, rue de Seine, where he founded the printing firm Lemercier and Company. He created the firm Lemercier, Bénard and Company in 1837 with Jean François Bénard. Lemercier bought out Bénard's share in the firm in 1843 and, since his two sons died at a young age, he decided to bring his nephew Alfred into the business beginning in 1862, who would progressively take on more and more responsibility in running the firm. Between 1850 and 1870, Lemercier's firm was the largest lithographic company in Paris. The firm began to decline in prestige in the early 1870s, and, after Lemercier's death in 1887, its descent only quickened. It is unclear when the firm closed, but Alfred directed the firm until his death in 1901. Learn More...
Henri Jules Jeannin (fl. 1829 - 1854) was a French print publisher active in Paris in the mid 19th century. Jeannin maintained offices at No. 20, Rue du Croissant in Paris from 1829 - 1835 and then move is office to No. 20, Place du Louvre in Paris. Little else is known about Jeannin. Learn More...
Condition
Very good. Light soiling.