Immeuble d'ateliers d'artistes

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

The building, which housed seven artist studios, was built in 1895-96, during the urbanization of the northern part of rue Caulaincourt, where there were old gypsum quarries. Commissioned by the artist-painter Théodore Bailly, it is most likely due to an architect named Ponsignon, whose other works are not known. Built back from the street, it was originally preceded by a garden. It was preserved, but hidden from the view of passers-by, during the construction of the building on the street in 1908-1910 by architect Armand Gauthier. It was occupied by prestigious artists such as Théophile Steinlein (1896-1906), Alfredo Muller (1896-1902), Renoir (1902-1912), Marcel Duchamp (1906-1908) or later Jules Pascin (1921-22).

Description

The steep slope of the land between rue de Caulaincourt and rue Lamarck required the construction of two levels of basement on which the ground floor is situated, surmounted by a roof-space storey. The two elevations are very contrasting. The south façade, at a single level, facing the courtyard, is built of timber framing, according to a design evoking civil constructions of the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th century. It is topped by a steep slate roof punctuated by large dormers with overhanging tie-beams. The singularity of this façade has fed the idea that it came from a world exposition, which research conducted so far has not been able to confirm. The north façade, at three levels, facing the heart of the island block, is fitted with a structure of wood or iron with infilling. It is rendered with plaster. It is largely opened by large glazing with metal sashes lighting the artist studios.