La Porte Guillaume, Chartres

Allen Lewis

American printmaker Allen Lewis headed to Paris in 1894 at age 21 and began etching a year later. In 1900 Lewis's work, along with fellow Americans James A.M. Whistler and Joseph Pennell, was accepted in the printmaking section of the Paris Salon.

This drypoint was done in 1913 in Paris before Lewis returned to the U.S. The subject is La Porte Guillaume, which was built at the end of the 12th century. It then was one of the gates of the enclosure surrounding the city of Chartres. It bears the name of Guillaume de Ferrieres, vidame of Chartres.

Like the great etcher James A.M. Whistler, Lewis invites the viewer to peer through the dark gate of the fortress to the light of the city beyond. The foreground is wiped dark and the drypoint lines are indistinct, implying only the impression of two figures. The massive gateway is even darker and foreboding. Once you enter the city the figures and architecture become more distinct. 'La Porte Guillaume' barbican was severely damaged in 1944 by the Germans during the liberation of Chartres.

This impression is from the collection of artist Dewitt Whistler Jayne (1911-2011). Dewitt Jayne was a nephew of Allen Lewis and a first cousin thrice removed of artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler.

This image has Hill Totterton 'The Print Rooms' gallery label, #2422.