Gezicht op de Notre-Dame te Parijs c. 1820 - 1850

Jules David created this view of the Notre-Dame in Paris in an unknown year using etching. The composition, dominated by the cathedral's imposing façade, is structured around symmetry and depth. The architectural details are rendered with precision, creating a textural complexity that invites close inspection. David’s choice of etching as a medium enhances the graphic quality of the image, emphasizing line and form over color. The intricate network of lines that define the cathedral's stonework, windows, and sculptural elements serve not merely to depict but to construct a sense of architectural grandeur and spatial depth. The balance between light and shadow, achieved through careful modulation of line density, enhances the three-dimensionality of the cathedral, while also evoking a sense of atmosphere. This print invites us to consider how architectural representation intertwines with cultural and historical narratives. The etching process itself, with its emphasis on precision and detail, mirrors the values of the Enlightenment era, in which rational observation and systematic documentation were prized.