Placing of the first stone for the church of Saint Genevieve
After Gabriel de Saint-Aubin French
Etcher Pierre Chenu French
Not on view
Saint-Aubin took a keen interest in the decades-long construction of the church of Saint Genevieve, designed by the architect Jacques Germain Soufflot (1713–1780). Dedicated to the patron saint of Paris, it was funded by the crown and therefore also meant to celebrate the king’s role in the glory of the French capital.
This oval design by Saint-Aubin commemorating the laying of the foundation stone was engraved by Chenu and published in 1766. The ceremony took place before a canvas mock-up of the as yet unbuilt facade.
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