GARNIER (Charles). - Lot 117

GARNIER (Charles). Born in Paris. 1825–1898. An architect, he was commissioned to design the new Paris Opera House, also known as the “Opéra Garnier” or “Palais Garnier.” Autograph letter signed “Ch. Garnier” to “Monsieur.” Paris, July 3, 1895. 1 page, in-8. On letterhead of: MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS—Agency for the Construction of the New OPERA. Charles Garnier offers his services to his correspondent ...to answer any questions you may have regarding the Théâtre d’Orange. I do not claim to be correct on every point; but I will at least give you my sincere opinion...However, he will be away from Paris for a few days and lists the days and times when he can receive him before his departure. He adds ...If it were impossible for you to come, we would then have to reschedule our meeting for the middle of next week...Trained under the architect Hippolyte Le Bas, Charles Garnier entered the École des Beaux-Arts in 1842. He won the first Grand Prix de Rome for architecture in 1848. His travels in Italy and then Greece instilled in him a taste for polychromy and a perfect integration of the three arts: architecture, sculpture, and painting. When, in 1861, he won the competition for the new Paris Opera House commissioned by Napoleon III, he set out to visit all the major opera houses in Europe. Construction, which began in August 1861, experienced numerous delays. The Paris Opera House was inaugurated on January 5, 1875, by the President of the Republic, Marshal de Mac-Mahon.The Théâtre d’Orange opened its doors on December 30, 1885. Its first architect, André-Jean Boudoy—a former collaborator of Charles Garnier—was succeeded by Léopold Carlier, an architect from Montpellier. Requisitioned by the German authorities during World War II and later converted into a meeting hall, the Théâtre d’Orange was renovated in 1981 and is now used for various events.