Presentation Drawing of the New Organ Case for the Church of Saint Germain des Prés

François Henri Cliquot|François Despatis

ca. 1772–74 · Pen and ink with gray wash · Drawings and Prints

This large presentation drawing in pen and ink with wash shows the elevation of a monumental organ in the church of Saint Germain des Près. The organ was built in the seventeenth century, and overtime various structural changes were made to the composition of the musical instrument. The case itself was due for renovation in the second half of the eighteenth century, and this drawing reflects the proposal for the new design. After the French Revolution, however, the Church of Saint Germain des Près was no longer in use, and the organ was transferred to the Church of Saint Eustache. A print of 1801 shows the organ with its new case installed in its new surroundings. It remained there until it was lost in a fire that broke out in the church in December 1844.

Artist

François Henri Cliquot|François Despatis

Date

ca. 1772–74

Medium

Pen and ink with gray wash

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Purchase, Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Jessie Price and Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Goldschmidt Gifts, and Susan Schulman Printseller Gift, in honor of Femke Speelberg, 2019