Elevation of Reims Cathedral with the Royal Box for the Coronation of Louis XVIII 1815

Charles Percier created this watercolor and graphite study, "Elevation of Reims Cathedral with the Royal Box for the Coronation of Louis XVIII," now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The drawing showcases a symmetrical elevation dominated by architectural elements and decorative ornamentation. Notice the repetition of vertical lines and arched forms, creating a rhythm that leads the eye toward the royal box, draped in luxurious blue fabric. The color palette, though muted, employs strategic golds and blues to emphasize areas of importance. Percier’s formal rendering offers insight into the symbolic encoding of power. The composition meticulously balances classical motifs with royal heraldry, reinforcing the idea of restored monarchy through visual language. Architectural rendering becomes a powerful tool, where each line, curve, and color contributes to the construction of legitimacy and cultural identity. Consider how the drawing's meticulous detail functions not merely as representation, but as a semiotic system, one where every element serves to communicate specific meanings about authority, heritage, and tradition.