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IG_452: Photograph Palais du Bey, Exposition Universelle 1867, Paris
(France_Paris_BnF_IG_452)

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Title

Palais du Bey, Exposition Universelle 1867, Paris

Type of Object
Artist / Producer
Petit, Pierre · Photographer
Bisson, Auguste Rosalie · Photographer
Dating
1867
Dimensions
24 x 18.1 cm; 53.8 x 43.8 cm (with cardboard)

Iconography

Description

This black and white photograph records the exterior of the so-called Palais du Bey, the Tunisian pavilion at the 1867 Exposition Universelle in Paris.
Perforated stucco lattices are a very prominent element of its architecture. They can be found on the main floor above the mashrabiyyāt (oriels) and above window openings that have horseshoe arches, as well as in the drums of the domes. The lattices take different shapes, from a lunette layout, to polylobed and round arches. Although the geometric patterns of the lattices come in different variations, all of them are based on star forms.
Two square structures rise above the right and left corners of the pavilion. Four horseshoe arched windows can be seen on each side of these structures. However, it appears that they are not filled with stucco lattices, but with stained glass in lead cames. The pattern, though, is similar to that of the stucco windows, as it is also based on star forms.

Iconclass Code
48A981 · ornament ~ geometric motifs
48A9815 · ornament ~ starforms
Iconclass Keywords

Technique / State

Technique

Print on albumen paper from wet collodion glass negative.

History

Research

According to Alfred Normand, who wrote on the Pavilion du Bey in his publication L'architecture des nations étrangères. Études sur les principales constructions du parc à l’Exposition Universelle de Paris (1867) (IG_253), **the stucco windows seen from the outside are perforated, yet not backed with coloured pieces of glass. He explains that in most buildings, the pieces of glass on the back of the stucco plate can be seen from the outside of the house, but that in some cases, when the builder wants to take care of exterior decoration of his building as well, the first plate with the coloured glass is doubled with a second one with similar geometric perforations, but not sealed with pieces of glass, as is the case at the Tunisian pavilion (Normand, 1870, p. 13–14).

So, although, the stucco panels seen on the façade of the Pavilion du Bey are technically not the stucco glass windows that can be seen in the interior, they do correspond to them in layout and design. Therefore, the pavilion’s photograph is useful for locating the windows, which are published in Normand’s book as polychrome illustrations. Published there are the equivalents with coloured glass, to the lunette windows above the mashrabiyya oriels on the main floor (IG_272), to the polylobed upper windows on the main floor (IG_271), as well as to the mullioned windows with round arches and two different geometrical patterns in the drums of the domes (IG_279).

Dating
1867
Related Locations
Place of Manufacture
Inventory Number
EO-14 (12)-BOITE FT 4

Bibliography and Sources

Literature

Normand, A. (1870). L'architecture des nations étrangères. Études sur les principales constructions du parc à l’Exposition Universelle de Paris (1867), A. Morel, éditeur-libraire.

Exhibitions

1867: Exposition Universelle, Paris.
18.5.2024–1.9.2024: Luminosité de l’Orient, Vitromusée Romont

Image Information

Name of Image
France_Paris_BnF_IG_452
Credits
BnF Département Estampes et photographie, EO-14 (12)-BOITE FT 4

Inventory

Reference Number
IG_452
Author and Date of Entry
Franziska Niemand 2024