For its inaugural exhibition in Paris, the design-e-space gallery, an art gallery for architecture and design, has chosen to present a selection of prints published in 1923 on the basis of the architecture drawings created by Georges Dupire at the Château de Versailles.

These drawings are a tribute to the once "triumphant" Versailles, which should not be forgotten, in spite of its partial destruction at the hands of time and people. They depict all the facets of this architectural marvel of the "French taste": harmonious landscapes with distant perspectives, still waters, classical gardens, groups and vases, exquisitely lit interiors. But the Versailles that Georges Dupire brings to life is also the Versailles of the poets' autumn, of leaves and of sunsets. The artist certainly seems to agree with many historians who believe that Versailles is the museum of a distant aesthetic, a sumptuous tomb of ancient royalty.

The exhibited works are based on a selection of the 75 original drawings dedicated to the "Château de Versailles, its gardens and its Trianons" which were presented in December 1920 in the exhibition "Georges Dupire" at the prestigious Galerie Georges Petit, a Paris gallery that was famous for the promotion of the Impressionists.

In 1923, the Editions Albert Morancé, publisher of books on art and architecture as well as limited editions of works by Chagall, Matisse and Foujita, decided to publish a portfolio of prints of 35 of the 75 original drawings by Georges Dupire. This edition consisted of 50 copies on Holland Van Gelder Zonen paper and 200 copies on white Bristol paper. The prints in the exhibition belong to the edition on Holland Van Gelder Zonen paper, a kind of paper which is no longer manufactured since the 70s.

Georges Dupire (1873-1959) was a student of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs and for many years he was a professor at the Ecole des Roches in Verneuil-sur-Avre. Through his talent, his love of drawing, his passion for architecture and his meticulous work, he established himself as "Illustrator of Historic Monuments". With his black pencil, he has succeeded in transcribing on paper the photographer's detail with the precision of the architect.

The design-e-space gallery, for several years a meeting place for collectors, has recently left the banks of the Grand Canal in Venice in order to open an exhibition space in Paris, in the Haut Marais district. This new space will be devoted to design and architecture in all their aspects, including those that may seem unusual.

Design-e-space Gallery
6, bis rue du Forez 
Paris 75003 France
www.design-e-space.com

Opening Hours
1pm to 7pm
From Tuesday to Saturday

Photos
1. Le Vase de la Guerre par Antoine Coysevox
2. Le Tapis Vert
3. La Cour de Marbre
4. Le Salon de la Paix
5. La Galerie des Glaces, Statue de Vénus
6. Arcade du Salon de la Guerre