Pierre Patte (1723–1814) - Profil d’une Rue - 1769

Pierre Patte — Profil d’une Rue — Original Architectural Engraving, Paris, 1769

Original French architectural engraving printed in Paris in 1769, designed and drawn by Pierre Patte (1723–1814), architect and influential theorist of the French Enlightenment.

The work bears the original engraved attribution “Patte del.” at lower right.

DESCRIPTION

Profil d’une Rue presents an unusually sophisticated cross-sectional vision of an idealised Parisian street, bringing architecture, public space and urban infrastructure together within a single composition.

The buildings on either side of the street are opened from roof to foundation, revealing interiors, cellars, fireplaces, chimneys and structural elements. The section continues beneath street level, exposing drainage channels, conduits and the principal underground system concealed below the roadway.

At the centre of the composition stands an elegant monumental fountain in the form of an obelisk, creating a strong architectural focus within the precisely constructed technical design.

Patte’s conception reflects the Enlightenment interest in the rational organisation of the city, at a time when circulation, sanitation, water management and public infrastructure were increasingly understood as integral parts of architectural planning.

The combination of fine engraving, architectural precision and the unusual sectional viewpoint makes Profil d’une Rue one of the most distinctive compositions associated with Patte’s work on the modern city.

DETAILS

Designer / Draughtsman: Pierre Patte (1723–1814)
Title: Profil d’une Rue
Date: 1769
Origin: Paris, France
Publication: Mémoires sur les objets les plus importans de l’architecture
Technique: Copper engraving on laid paper
Engraved attribution: “Patte del.”
Sheet size: approx. 35 × 30 cm
Plate mark: approx. 26.5 × 21.5 cm

The plate impression is clearly visible and the sheet retains generous margins around the engraved composition.

CONDITION

Good condition for an original eighteenth-century engraving.

The engraved composition is complete and well preserved, with the fine architectural and technical details remaining clear and legible.

The sheet shows age-related toning, scattered minor spotting and several old creases and wrinkles. These include diagonal creases on the left side and a horizontal crease toward the right, some extending partially into the engraved area. They do not affect the completeness or overall legibility of the composition.

There is a small paper loss at the extreme upper-right corner of the sheet, entirely outside the engraved image, together with minor irregularities to the outer edges.

Please review the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description and condition report.

RARITY AND COLLECTOR’S INTEREST

Profil d’une Rue occupies a recognised place in the history of architectural and urban representation.

Its particular interest lies in Patte’s treatment of the street as a complete interconnected system rather than simply the space between two buildings. Domestic architecture, public space, drainage, sanitation and underground infrastructure are represented simultaneously, giving the engraving an unusually modern character for its period.

This makes the work particularly relevant to collectors of eighteenth-century architecture, French Enlightenment prints, early urban planning, civil engineering and the history of the modern city.

Beyond its documentary importance, the strong symmetry, finely engraved architectural detail and central monumental element give the composition considerable decorative presence.

An original 1769 French architectural engraving retaining broad margins and the original “Patte del.” attribution.

PACKAGING AND SHIPPING

The engraving will be carefully packed flat with protective archival materials and rigid reinforcement to ensure safe transport.

Tracked and insured shipping.

* The wooden display stand shown in some photographs is for presentation purposes only and is not included in the sale.