Narcisse Berch Re, 'le D Sert de Suez -

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Résumé :
Narcisse Berch?re was commissioned by Ferdinand de Lesseps to make a visual record of the first phase of the construction of the Suez Canal. To this end, he spent five months in the Isthmus, from November 1861 to March 1862. He is said, by his first biographer, Bernard Prost to have completed an 'album', containing 68 plans, drawings and watercolours. This 'album' was given by Berch?re to Ferdinand de Lesseps, who then presented it to Emperor Napoleon III, via the Duc de Bassano. It was held at the Palais des Tuileries in Paris, where it is believed to have perished, when the Palace was burned down in 1871, at the time of the Commune. Fortunately, Narcisse Berch?re also gave a verbal account of his experiences in a book, published by Jules Hetzel in 1863, Le D?sert de Suez: cinq mois dans l'Isthme, of which this is the first new edition. Professor Wright is Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College Dublin. Connu surtout comme peintre orientaliste, Narcisse Berch?re fut commandit? par Ferdinand de Lesseps pour apporter un t?moignage visuel de la premi?re phase de la construction du canal de Suez. Au cours de sa mission, il passa cinq mois dans l'isthme de Suez en 1861 et 1862, et ex?cuta un album de 68 plans, dessins et aquarelles, qu'il remit ? Lesseps, lequel l'offrit ensuite ? l'empereur Napol?on III. Cet album aurait ?t? d?truit dans l'incendie du palais des Tuileries, sous la Commune en 1871. Heureusement, Berch?re fit ?galement de son s?jour un t?moignage ?crit, dont le texte publi? constitue la premi?re r??dition....