"Paris Vue prise du Trocadero (Exposition Universelle de 1867)", Lalanne, Maxime

This stunning bird's-eye etching of Paris shows the Exposition Universel in 1867. The view is from the Place Trocadero across the Seine with four of the bridges included. The etching is signed and dated in the plate on the lower left by Maxime Lalanne who was the author of several important books on the subject of etching and was at the forefront of the French revival of etching during the 1860's. He was a founding member of the Societe des Aqua-fortistes along with Auguste Delatre (who printed this etching). Published by Cadart & Luce and printed on beautiful Hudelist hand laid paper.

Emperor Napoleon III decreed in 1864 that an international exposition would be held in Paris. The site chosen was the Champ de Mars, the military parade ground of Paris. The 52 acre grounds held over 100 buildings, dominated by the enormous 1600 foot long structure that is visible in the etching. Dedicated to the arts, the exposition was nevertheless located directly across the river from a smoke belching factory, that is also evident in the view.

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Condition: B+

The image is beautiful with a strong, dark impression with the raised ink evident to the touch. Printed on a full, un-trimmed sheet (31" x 21.5") of thick hand laid paper with very wide margins and two large watermarks; one names the papermaker "Hudelist" and the other is the company's symbol with a crown and "HP" below. A near fine example with just a little foxing mostly in the heavily engraved portion of the sky.