Louis-Émile Durandelle

Louis-Émile Durandelle was a photographer active during a critical period of architectural documentation, primarily between 1860 and 1875. His known work, represented by seven photographs and one volume in major museum collections, centers on the exhaustive visual cataloging of monumental structures and their intricate sculptural details.

Durandelle’s documented output heavily features studies of the newly constructed Palais Garnier, commonly known as the Paris Opera House. This work culminated in the creation of the album Sculpture ornementale, le Nouvel Opèra de Paris (Ornamental Sculpture of the New Paris Opera). Individual photographs from this series provide meticulous, high-quality prints detailing specific architectural elements, such as Ornamental Scupture, Ornamental Sculpture from the Paris Opera House (Arch Detail), and Ornamental Sculpture from the Paris Opera House (Column Fragment).

The precision and documentary value of Louis-Émile Durandelle prints establish his significance within the history of 19th-century architectural photography. His holdings are preserved in several prominent American institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Today, many of his striking images are available as downloadable artwork for scholarly study and public appreciation.