Desmond Freeman
Paris - Impressions in Ink
Images Publishing, 2018
Paris – Impressions in Ink is the second publication in Desmond Freeman's five volume series and follows the same format as the Venice book before it.
The Paris Collection of some 54 drawings records my many visits to Paris over the last forty-five years and just as with the Venice Collection includes large-scale aerial views and smaller, intimate subjects of architectural detail around this amazingly diverse metropolis. I have chosen an aerial view of the Opera Garnier as the centrepiece of the exhibition. This large diptych affords a central view of the famous opera house from the rear instead of the usual front façade view by which it is generally promoted. Encircling this 19th century masterpiece are a myriad of commercial and residential buildings predominantly limestone with zinc roofs and views into the complex of courtyards hidden from the passer by behind stout elaborate timber doors. The incidence of more contemporary buildings is increasing and their sleek art deco and more contemporary lines stand in sharp contrast to the studied rhythm of the ‘Haussmann’ apartments that line the major boulevards.
The Collection also includes more idiosyncratic subjects such as the interior steelwork in ‘Decorative Steelwork detail La Samaritaine Department Store 1905, Paris’ that expresses the skill and popularity of the Art Nouveau style evident in many parts of the city. The book simply records impressions of some of my favourite, distinctly Parisian architecture and is in no way intended to explore any particular style in detail. Irresistible contemporary works of the 1970’s such as ‘The Pomidou Centre (1972-77)’ demanded inclusion as did reference to Versailles one of my favourite fantasylands even though it is technically not in Paris as such.
The book ‘Desmond Freeman Paris – Impressions in Ink’ follows the same format as the Venice book before it. A standard edition and a deluxe edition that will include a limited edition signed print from the Paris Collection. The book will be launched at the exhibition on 6 July 2018 at Wombat hollow in East Kangaloon in the Southern Highlands.