St-Sulpice, Paris, Isidore Laurent Deroy, c.1835–1855, hand-colored lithograph, 10 × 6.5 in., Paris éditeurs.
This rare 19th-century Paris cityscape is a hand-colored lithograph by Isidore Laurent Deroy depicting the Church of Saint-Sulpice and its monumental twin towers. Drawn from life and lithographed by the artist during the early Second Empire period, the work documents historic Left Bank Paris prior to Haussmann’s transformation. Published by leading Paris éditeurs R. Lebrasseur and Dutot, and printed by Imp. Marie & Cie, this original antique lithograph exemplifies French architectural printmaking and is ideal for collectors of historic Paris views, ecclesiastical architecture, and 19th-century European works on paper.
Artwork Description:
This finely executed 19th-century lithograph presents a detailed view of Saint-Sulpice, one of Paris’s most important ecclesiastical monuments, set within its expansive public square. The composition centers on the church’s imposing west façade with its asymmetrical twin towers, while the foreground fountain and surrounding figures animate the square with scenes of daily Parisian life.
The work is a hand-colored stone lithograph drawn directly from nature and executed by Isidore Laurent Deroy, as confirmed by the in-plate inscription “Dessiné d’après nature et lithog. par Deroy.” Architectural precision, balanced perspective, and careful spatial organization reflect Deroy’s academic training and his mastery of topographical representation. Subtle hand coloring enhances stonework, costume, and sky while preserving the clarity of the lithographic line.
Publisher and printer imprints place the work within a professional Parisian publishing network active during the 1830s–1850s. The lithograph was issued by R. Lebrasseur (47, rue de la Victoire) and Dutot (36, rue de Rivoli), and printed by Imp. Marie & Cie (17, rue Salle-au-Comte, Paris), a respected lithographic printer known for high-quality impressions. Historically, the image records Saint-Sulpice before later urban modifications, reinforcing its documentary and architectural significance.
Artist Biography:
Isidore Laurent Deroy was a French painter, draughtsman, and prolific lithographer of architectural views and historic sites. Born in Paris in 1797, he studied under Louis-François Cassas, whose influence shaped Deroy’s disciplined approach to architectural accuracy and topographical detail.
Deroy exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon from 1822 to 1866 and became widely recognized for his lithographs documenting Parisian monuments, churches, gardens, and civic spaces drawn directly from life. His works form a crucial visual record of Paris before Haussmann’s modernization and are held in major institutional collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, and numerous French museums. His artistic legacy continued through his sons, Émile Deroy and Auguste-Victor Deroy, both accomplished artists.
Isidore Laurent Deroy (French, 1797–1886), St-Sulpice, Paris, c.1835–1855. Hand-colored lithograph. Drawn and lithographed by the artist. Published by Lebrasseur & Dutot. Printed by Imp. Marie & Cie. 10 × 6.5 in.
Certificate of Value & Authentication:
This artwork is an authentic 19th-century French lithograph by Isidore Laurent Deroy, confirmed by the in-plate inscription stating the work was drawn from nature and lithographed by the artist. Publisher and printer imprints from Lebrasseur, Dutot, and Imp. Marie & Cie verify period Paris production consistent with Deroy’s documented oeuvre and historic Paris views.
Provenance:
Mitch Morse Gallery, New York City (acquired through NYC and European sources)
Private collection
Current owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
St-Sulpice, Paris, Isidore Laurent Deroy, c.1835–1855, hand-colored lithograph, 10 × 6.5 in., Paris éditeurs.
This rare 19th-century Paris cityscape is a hand-colored lithograph by Isidore Laurent Deroy depicting the Church of Saint-Sulpice and its monumental twin towers. Drawn from life and lithographed by the artist during the early Second Empire period, the work documents historic Left Bank Paris prior to Haussmann’s transformation. Published by leading Paris éditeurs R. Lebrasseur and Dutot, and printed by Imp. Marie & Cie, this original antique lithograph exemplifies French architectural printmaking and is ideal for collectors of historic Paris views, ecclesiastical architecture, and 19th-century European works on paper.
Artwork Description:
This finely executed 19th-century lithograph presents a detailed view of Saint-Sulpice, one of Paris’s most important ecclesiastical monuments, set within its expansive public square. The composition centers on the church’s imposing west façade with its asymmetrical twin towers, while the foreground fountain and surrounding figures animate the square with scenes of daily Parisian life.
The work is a hand-colored stone lithograph drawn directly from nature and executed by Isidore Laurent Deroy, as confirmed by the in-plate inscription “Dessiné d’après nature et lithog. par Deroy.” Architectural precision, balanced perspective, and careful spatial organization reflect Deroy’s academic training and his mastery of topographical representation. Subtle hand coloring enhances stonework, costume, and sky while preserving the clarity of the lithographic line.
Publisher and printer imprints place the work within a professional Parisian publishing network active during the 1830s–1850s. The lithograph was issued by R. Lebrasseur (47, rue de la Victoire) and Dutot (36, rue de Rivoli), and printed by Imp. Marie & Cie (17, rue Salle-au-Comte, Paris), a respected lithographic printer known for high-quality impressions. Historically, the image records Saint-Sulpice before later urban modifications, reinforcing its documentary and architectural significance.
Artist Biography:
Isidore Laurent Deroy was a French painter, draughtsman, and prolific lithographer of architectural views and historic sites. Born in Paris in 1797, he studied under Louis-François Cassas, whose influence shaped Deroy’s disciplined approach to architectural accuracy and topographical detail.
Deroy exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon from 1822 to 1866 and became widely recognized for his lithographs documenting Parisian monuments, churches, gardens, and civic spaces drawn directly from life. His works form a crucial visual record of Paris before Haussmann’s modernization and are held in major institutional collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, and numerous French museums. His artistic legacy continued through his sons, Émile Deroy and Auguste-Victor Deroy, both accomplished artists.
Isidore Laurent Deroy (French, 1797–1886), St-Sulpice, Paris, c.1835–1855. Hand-colored lithograph. Drawn and lithographed by the artist. Published by Lebrasseur & Dutot. Printed by Imp. Marie & Cie. 10 × 6.5 in.
Certificate of Value & Authentication:
This artwork is an authentic 19th-century French lithograph by Isidore Laurent Deroy, confirmed by the in-plate inscription stating the work was drawn from nature and lithographed by the artist. Publisher and printer imprints from Lebrasseur, Dutot, and Imp. Marie & Cie verify period Paris production consistent with Deroy’s documented oeuvre and historic Paris views.
Provenance:
Mitch Morse Gallery, New York City (acquired through NYC and European sources)
Private collection
Current owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
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