University of Notre Dame
Universtiy of Notre Dame

Marble: Museums, Archives, Rare Books and Libraries Exploration

Home Browse Featured My Portfolios About
  1. Home ›
  2. Architectural Lantern Slides›
  3. Architectural Lantern Slides of France›
  4. Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève: Overall view ›

Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève: Overall view

Date

Circa 1910

Creator

G. Massiot & cie
Part of: Architectural Lantern Slides of France
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries

Labrouste finally received his first important public commission: the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Place du Panthéon, Paris. He worked for four years (1839-1842) on the design of the building, which was opened in 1851. He conceived the library as a sort of basilica in the Roman manner, with an elongated rectangular plan; the building is also reminiscent of a medieval monastic refectory and it has been compared to the refectory of the 13th-century St Martin-des-Champs, Paris. The main book stacks were placed on the ground-floor, expressed externally as a heavily rusticated base with small openings; above was placed the reading-room, with access via a staircase block projecting from the centre of the long, rear façade. The most striking feature of the Bibliothèque is the structure of the reading-room, where an exposed iron frame was used for the first time in a monumental building. The frame consists of decorated cast-iron arches and piers, with fireproof 'vaults' formed from latticework clad in plaster.

Images

This is called Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève: Overall view within the category of photographs.Open in external viewer application

Metadata

Creator
G. Massiot & cie
Date
Circa 1910
Publisher
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Material Type
photographs
Conditions Governing Access
To view the physical lantern slide, please contact the Architecture Library to arrange an appointment
Related Location
Paris, Île-de-France, France: 10, Place du Panthéon

Metadata

Campus Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Link to Finding Aid
https://curate.nd.edu/show/nz805x24r1m
This digital collection may not include all items or all of the information available about the source collection. See the finding aid for more information.

Metadata

Contact Us

Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries at asklib@nd.edu.


Also from Architectural Lantern Slides of France

Limoges Cathedral: Distant context view seen from the Vienne River

Limoges Cathedral: Distant context view seen from the Vienne River

Quimper Cathedral: Distant context view of the spires above the city

Quimper Cathedral: Distant context view of the spires above the city

Panthéon des Grands Hommes: Interior view of nave and crossing under the dome

Panthéon des Grands Hommes: Interior view of nave and crossing under the dome

Hôtel Jacques Coeur: Detail of entry pavilion showing emblems of Jacques Coeur and one of the sculpted observers

Hôtel Jacques Coeur: Detail of entry pavilion showing emblems of Jacques Coeur and one of the sculpted observers

Sens Cathedral: Detail, southwest tower seen above neighboring buildings

Sens Cathedral: Detail, southwest tower seen above neighboring buildings

Luxembourg Palace: Distant overall view of the courtyard facade

Luxembourg Palace: Distant overall view of the courtyard facade

Related Items

No results found for .
Raclin Murphy Art Museum
100 Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
Phone (574) 631–5466
RMMACollections@nd.edu
Hesburgh Library
284 Hesburgh Library
Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
Phone (574) 631-6258
asklib@nd.edu
© 2025 University of Notre Dame
Marble: Museums, Archives, Rare Books and Libraries Exploration
AboutPortfoliosHelpAccessibilitySite Map