Text: Tonino Benacquista. Photography: Raphaël Gaillarde. Preface: Jean-Paul Cluzel.
A Grand Palais / Rmn joint publication, November 2010
144 pages, 35 euros
ISBN : 978-2-7118-5775-3
Catalogue déraisonné reflects two men’s passion for the Grand Palais.
For two years, photographer Raphaël Gaillarde took his camera and explored every corner of the building. His selected shots reveal a wide range of moods, with a preference for behind-the-scenes views of events and some unexpected curiosities. His work is accompanied by the words of writer Tonino Benacquista whose fictional narratives inspired by the immensity and diversity of the Grand Palais open wide the doors of imagination. The crisscrossing visions of the two artists emphasise the sheer uniqueness of the building and offer readers an insight into the Grand Palais that is at once an ambitious vision and plenty of fun to read.
Yves Saint-Geours (research by Isabelle Stibbe)
Paris, Gallimard, 2009
(Coll. Découvertes : Culture et société, n° 540)
128 p., 12,90 €
ISBN : 978-2-07-036180-9
Available in French.
This book paints a picture of the historical and political background to the building of the Grand Palais and its architecture. It tells the story of the many chapters in the history of a building that, through art exhibitions, motor and air shows, and household technology, held up a mirror to the twentieth century. Its spirit is still alive in the new millennium and, as a symbol of French national heritage, the Grand Palais still inspires dreams, and provides an iconic venue for all forms of human creativity in the arts, culture, science and technology. The rich illustrations include hitherto unpublished images, first-hand accounts and documents.
Isabelle Stibbe, photography by Raphaël Gaillarde
La Revue blanche, FMR, October-November 2009, n° 9, "musée"
pp. 28-41, 100 €
Available in French, English, Spanish and Italian.
The prestigious FMR magazine, described in his time by film director Federicor Fellini as "the finest art review in the world", devotes 14 pages to the Grand Palais in its issue on "museums". The text, telling the story of the building, is illustrated by 21 original photographs signed by Raphaël Gaillarde (winner of the Visa d'Or 2000 award), in a stunning tribute to the architectural wealth of the Grand Palais.
Gilles Plum, photography by Jean-Pierre Delagarde
Paris, MONUM - Éditions du Patrimoine, 2008
(Coll : monographies d'édifices)
222 p., 50 €
ISBN : 2-85822-901-5
Available in French.
This work, by an architectural historian, presents the Grand Palais from a number of angles: from its inception through to its place in the planning of Paris and more generally in the history of architecture, via the construction and the decoration. Illustrated with material from the Grand Palais archives, some of which is hitherto unpublished, and by photographic documents focusing notably on the outstanding restoration work accomplished between 2001 and 2007, it tells the story of this major edifice and offers rare insights into its architecture.
Jean-François Lasnier, Sylvie Blin, Guillaume Morel
Connaissance des arts, hors-série, n° 319, 2007
66 pages, 9 €
ISSN : 1242-9198
Available in French and English.
The periodical Connaissance des arts devotes a special issue to the story of the construction of the Grand Palais and the key moments in the process, from the original design for the 1900 Universal Exhibition through to the salvage operation and final reopening in 2005.
Bernard Marrey
Paris, Picard, 2006
136 p., 29 €
ISBN : 2-7084-0776-7
Available in French.
Written by a historian specialised in architecture and construction techniques, this work explores the many vicissitudes in the history of the Grand Palais from the compromises made at the time of the construction, lasting traces of which are still embodied in the building, to discussing the impact of the vast range of events subsequently hosted there. Weak foundations, over-use and a big fire were the main reasons why vital refurbishment work had to be undertaken in 2001.
Jean Monneret
Paris, Réunion des musées nationaux, 2006
143 p., 39 €
ISBN : 2711851915
Available in French
The author is a painter who, in 1995, became the founder and president of the Fédération des salons historiques du Grand Palais. In this book he takes a very personal look at the Grand Palais, a building about which he cares passionately, and for which, since 1947, he has designed exhibition booths, posters and decors. The book is abundantly illustrated with previously unpublished images.
