Le Corbusier - Textes et dessins pour Ronchamp / Ronchamp - 1975

Le Corbusier – Ronchamp – Two Books / Two Important Publications

Lot includes:

1. Ronchamp – Les Carnets de la Recherche Patiente 2
2. Textes et dessins pour Ronchamp

This exceptional two-book set brings together two important publications documenting Le Corbusier’s conception and development of the famous Notre-Dame-du-Haut chapel at Ronchamp, France.

1. Ronchamp – Les Carnets de la Recherche Patiente 2

Written and designed by Le Corbusier, this is the second volume in his Les Carnets de la Recherche Patiente series. Originally published in 1957 by Girsberger in Zurich, the book presents Le Corbusier’s own reflections, sketches, photographs and ideas surrounding the creation of the Ronchamp chapel.

The book explores the development of the building through subjects including light, materials, models, the Modulor, landscape, symbolism and the relationship between architecture and human experience. The famous sculptural roof and organic forms are discussed alongside the experimental process that led to the final design.

The edition shown here carries the characteristic 1957 design associated with Gerd Hatje, with the colophon indicating a later 1975 reprint, making it a particularly interesting edition for collectors of Le Corbusier’s books.

2. Textes et dessins pour Ronchamp

This small-format publication is another fascinating insight into Le Corbusier’s creative process. Originally published in Paris by Éditions Forces Vives in 1965, it brings together texts and drawings concerning the creation of Ronchamp.

Rather than simply documenting the completed building, Le Corbusier uses his drawings and writings to explain how an architectural idea develops—from an initial mental conception through sketches, colour, form and experimentation.

Together, the two books offer a rare opportunity to see Ronchamp from Le Corbusier’s own perspective, combining architectural documentation with his highly personal artistic and philosophical approach.

Why this lot is interesting

Ronchamp is regarded as one of Le Corbusier’s most distinctive and influential works. The chapel, completed in 1955, represents a major departure from the strict geometric language often associated with modernist architecture and demonstrates his interest in sculpture, light, colour, symbolism and spirituality.

This two-book lot would be particularly appealing to collectors of Le Corbusier, modernist architecture, Brutalism, architectural history, artist’s books and 20th-century design.

Search terms / collector keywords

Le Corbusier, Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, Ronchamp, Notre-Dame-du-Haut, Chapel at Ronchamp, Chapelle de Ronchamp, Les Carnets de la Recherche Patiente, Textes et dessins pour Ronchamp, modern architecture, Modernism, Modern Movement, Brutalism, Brutalist architecture, post-war architecture, French architecture, Swiss architecture, architectural history, architectural books, artist books, architecture photography, architectural drawings, Modulor, béton brut, sacred architecture, religious architecture, 20th century design, avant-garde architecture, Jean Petit, Gerd Hatje, Girsberger, Forces Vives.
Le Corbusier · Pierre Jeanneret · Charlotte Perriand · Jean Prouvé · Oscar Niemeyer · Alvar Aalto · Walter Gropius · Ludwig Mies van der Rohe · Marcel Breuer · Eero Saarinen · Louis Kahn · Richard Neutra · André Wogenscky.

Le Corbusier is considered one of the most important figures in architecture and design from the same era such as Jean Prouve, Enzo Mari, Ettore Sottsass, Charlotte Perriand, such as George Nelson, Eames, Hella Jongerius, Verner Panton, Frank Gehry, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Maarten Van Severen, Aalvar Aalto and Alexander Girard.

Le Corbusier, was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner and writer, who was one of the pioneers of what is now regarded as modern architecture.
He was born in Switzerland to French speaking Swiss parents, and acquired French nationality by naturalization on 19 September 1930.


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