Description
Current photographs of the building corner of Lycée Hélène Boucher on Rue de Lagny/ Rue des Pyrénées show similar doors and window panels to those in this design — 2 glass doors with long vertical handles each flanked by a glass panel window, en suite. The glass doors and window panels are horizontally divided into three rectangular sections decorated with a symmetrical linear design. The design that was ultimately used (shown in the photograph above) differs in several respects, notably that the delicate repeating design of curves and triangles of the design has been replaced by a right-angled geometric design.
The drawing is stamped with the name of a Parisian wrought iron fabricator and restorer. According to a history of the Lycée produced in 1987 for its 50th anniversary, the doors to the main entrance were designed by the French designer Raymond Subes, one of the leading designers of decorative ironwork during the Art Deco period.
Lycée Hélène Boucher was constructed in 1937 as the first high school for girls in Eastern Paris, with a capacity of 1,800 students. Designed by French architect Lucien Sallez, it was built in 1937 in the Art Deco style and named for a pioneering female aviator who died in 1934 at the age of 26. Among the school’s famous alumnae is the author Françoise Sagan. Today it operates as a combined high school and college, now known as Collège et Lycée Hélène Boucher.
Titled, incribed and numbered in lower margin: Grille. Angle R. Lagny Pyrénée — Angle R. Lagny Maraichers. N. 15738. Ecb010PM.
Stamped verso (partially legible): M. Caillat/ …Caillat/ Successeur/ [Re]stauration d’Objets d’Art/ …Forgé – Ancien, Moderne/ [R]ue de Cotte, Paris-12e/ Tél. Diderot 86-40 et 86-41.
Provenance: James Lamantia, Jr. (1923-2011). At the time of his death, Lamantia was Emeritus Professor of Architecture at Tulane University in New Orleans. He was also a practicing architect, and an artist.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual light toning, wear, soft creases.
References:
Cullison, William R. III, and Lamantia, James. An Eye for Architecture: Architectural and Decorative Drawings from the Collection of James Lamantia. New Orleans: Southeastern Architectural Archive, Tulane University Library, September 16 to October 31, 1984.
Leichter, Heinrich. “The True Biedermeier.” Ritter Antik. http://www.ritterantik.com/ritter_antique_worth_knowing.php (15 October 2012).
“Lycée Hélène-Boucher.” Wikipedia. 25 September 2012. http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycée_Hélène-Boucher (26 October 2012).
Pat, M. “Entrée des artistes #1, Lycée Hélène Boucher.” Flickr.com. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotopat/3525526807/ (26 October 2012).
Pat, M. “Entrée des artistes #2, Lycée Hélène Boucher.” Flickr.com. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotopat/3525526509/ (26 October 2012).
Pat, M. “Virage (Paris, Lycée Hélène Boucher).” Flickr.com. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotopat/6686521643/ (26 October 2012).
“Une Histoire.” Lycée Hélène Boucher, Paris. http://heleneboucher.chez.com/projeta4.htm (26 October 2012).
