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Paris Opéra: Interior view of the central portion of the Grand Staircase

Date

Circa 1910

Creator

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

Garnier had the idea of constructing the different parts of the building (the foyer, the auditorium and the fly) in distinct masses and decided to arrange them in tiers in such a way that the perspective varied in depth, gradually increasing the concentration on the façade. Garnier set out the low volume of the foyer in a very emphatic manner, as he did the auditorium and the immense gabled fly tower, which was of an impressive height: more than 60 m high, or three times the height of Parisian buildings at that time. The heart of the building is the great stairway. This colossal, brightly lit and multicoloured space, with its imperial flights of stairs with bronze statues and marble columns, culminates in the ivory caryatids at the entry to the theatre boxes. The progression of effects is spectacular and makes the Opéra the most exuberant building of its time and the most characteristic of the Second Empire, although it was not completed until 1875, under the Third Republic. The building is crowned by a statue of Apollo with his lyre.

Images

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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

Metadata

Campus Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Link to Finding Aid
https://curate.nd.edu/show/qn59q240g7j
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

Wallace Fountains of Paris: Overall view of a Wallace fountain of the 'large model' with four caryatids

Wallace Fountains of Paris: Overall view of a Wallace fountain of the 'large model' with four caryatids

Archbishop's Palace, Sens: Detail, Renaissance sculpted portal

Archbishop's Palace, Sens: Detail, Renaissance sculpted portal

Paris Opéra: Overall distant view, showing plaza in front

Paris Opéra: Overall distant view, showing plaza in front

Château de Chantilly: Facade of the wing to the left inside the entrance court

Château de Chantilly: Facade of the wing to the left inside the entrance court

Charterhouse of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon: Monastery

Charterhouse of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon: Monastery

Bourges Cathedral: Exterior, view of side and east apse-end with flying buttresses

Bourges Cathedral: Exterior, view of side and east apse-end with flying buttresses

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