Paris, View of the Seine with the Panthéon

Paris, View of the Seine with the Panthéon

Hand-colored engraved panorama, c. 1835–1855

Engraved by Thomas A. Prior

This large-format 19th-century engraved view depicts Paris from the River Seine, with the Panthéon rising prominently above the Left Bank skyline. River traffic—barges, sailboats, and working craft—animates the foreground, while the dense architectural mass of the city forms a disciplined and recognizably Parisian horizon.

The engraving was produced by Thomas A. Prior, an English engraver active in the mid-19th century, known for refined topographical and architectural views created for the British market. Paris was a particularly sought-after subject during this period, valued for its monumental planning, civic architecture, and symbolic modernity in the decades following the Napoleonic era.

Printed with a strong, well-defined plate impression, the image retains excellent clarity and depth. The restrained hand coloring appears period-appropriate and enhances architectural legibility without overpowering the engraved line. A small numerical notation (“24–16.5”) appears in the lower margin, consistent with a period reference to the original full sheet size. The sheet has been trimmed slightly from its original dimensions prior to mounting, a common historical practice.

The print is firmly adhered to an older backing board as part of an earlier archival mounting effort. This mounting is stable and long-standing, though not reversible without professional conservation. Light, age-appropriate toning is present; no damage intrudes into the image.

Offered unframed, this is a serious mid-19th-century Paris panorama—architectural, documentary, and measured in character—well suited to collectors of antique prints, European city views, and historical Paris imagery.

Details

Title: Paris, View of the Seine with the Panthéon.

Date: c. 1835–1855.

Place: Paris, France.

Medium: Hand-colored line engraving.

Engraver: Thomas A. Prior.

Subject: River Seine; Panthéon; Paris cityscape.

Sheet size: approx. 22¼ × 16 inches (trimmed from a larger original sheet).

Condition: Very Good. Strong, well-defined plate impression. Light age-related toning. Fully adhered to an older archival backing board; stable, non-reversible without professional conservation.

Framing: Unframed.

Provenance: Private collection.

Portfolio: Blackwell Portfolio — Prints.