12th-Century Musical Instruments from Saint-Denis by Turreau

12th-Century Musical Instruments from Saint-Denis by Turreau

C.1866

Hand-Colored Engraving

Centering on the architectural sculptures of the Abbey of Saint-Denis (Tirés du portail de l'Abbaye de S.t Denis, construit sous l'Abbé Suger), this exquisite print executed in 1866 provides a detailed visual record of Romanesque musical instrumentation, drafted by artist Turreau (Turreau del.) and engraved by Pérée (Pérée sculp.). The upper section centers on a sculpted Elder of the Apocalypse holding a bowed instrument, flanked on either side by isolated studies of early stringed instruments featuring decorated bodies and tuning pegs. Below this central figure, three distinct triangular Romanesque harps are arrayed horizontally, highlighting variations in frame ornamentation, string counts, and carved animal-head finials. Originally published in Nicolas-Xavier Willemin’s monumental work Monuments français inédits pour servir à l'histoire des arts depuis le VIe siècle jusqu'au commencement du XVIIe, this plate documents key architectural sculptures created during the famous 12th-century rebuilding led by Abbot Suger.

Created during the rise of 19th-century Romanticism and the French Gothic Revival, this work forms part of a pioneering effort to systematically record and preserve France's medieval material heritage. Auguste-Xavier Leprince and artists like A. Giroux worked alongside Nicolas-Xavier Willemin to document early French art history and archaeology, with a focus on capturing medieval sculpture, architectural reliefs, and manuscript illuminations. This specific plate holds immense historical importance in organology (the study of musical instruments) and art history; by combining architectural relief details from Chartres Cathedral with manuscript studies from the Bibliothèque Impériale and Belgian archives, Willemin provided invaluable comparative documentation of 12th-century Romanesque instrument design long before the advent of photographic reproduction.

Dimensions: H 17 ¼” x 11” W

Condition: Toned slightly with age