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Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, Paris

Basilica of Sacre Coeur in Paris line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

This illustration of the Sacre Coeur was completed in the summer of 1996 when I was living in Paris. I spend several days outside of the church, among the tourists and the other artists, sketching this marvelous building with it's impressive white towers and wedding cake like architecture. The sheer detail involved in drawing a structure like this can be a little intimidating, because of the style and the accuracy of the drawing there can be no shortcuts and every single inch of the illustration must be accurate and true to the building.

Information about the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, Paris:

The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, Paris, also known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica, is a Roman Catholic church, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is situated promenently on the hilltop of Montmartre, the highest point on Paris. After some legal maneuvering, the city seized the land and work began in 1875. The architect was Paul Abadie, who was a notable restorer of many famous religious buildings in France. Although he died shortly after the foundation was laid, and the work was continued by several other architects, who carried on the work until the building was completed in 1914. Official dedication was put off until the end of World War I in 1919. The building is remarkable because of it's peculiar blending of architectural styles, such as Roman-Byzantine, along with many nationalistic themes, such as Joan of Arc and King Saint Louis IX who were both martyred. The church cost over 7 million francs, all of which were donated by private individuals and groups.