Portrait of The Old Cathedral and Gateway Arch

My newest portrait combines beloved old and modern landmarks and was a joy to create! Located near the waterfront of the Mississippi River and adjacent to the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis, Missouri is the historic Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France — fondly known as the Old Cathedral. Owned by the Archdiocese of St. Louis, it is the oldest building in the city and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by George Morten and Joseph LaVeille in the Greek Revival style, this limestone church was dedicated in 1834 and known then as The Cathedral of St. Louis. It was the first cathedral built west of the Mississippi River, and a symbol of Catholicism in the colonial west. In 1961, Pope John XXIII decreed it officially be known as the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, and now this beloved landmark is affectionately called The Old Cathedral.

This historic place of worship is remarkable inside and out, but the most endearing feature for me are the Hebrew and Latin gilded inscriptions featured prominently on the facade — a triangular pediment displays the Hebrew initials for the name of God, YHVH, Yahweh, and the Latin inscription directly underneath translates to ” God, One and Three”. These engravings represent the positive relationship between the Roman Catholic and Jewish communities in St. Louis from the earliest days of the city to the present. The Old Cathedral remains a favorite venue for wedding ceremonies and visitors of all faiths continue to be warmly welcomed.

This 11″ x 14″ pen and ink with watercolor artwork also portrays the iconic Gateway Arch, the tallest man-made monument in the United States, and a very popular tourist destination. Designed by Finnish-born American architect Eero Saarinen in 1948, the Arch was completed on October 28, 1965 and is 630 feet of stainless steel built to withstand earthquakes and high winds. The elegant arch was erected to commemorate President Thomas Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and to celebrate the important role of St. Louis in the rapid westward expansion of the U.S that followed the Lewis and Clark Expedition from this city in 1804 and represents a door to the “Gateway to the West”. The interior of the Arch contains two trams that carry visitors to the viewing area at the very top with windows on both sides for breathtaking views up to 30 miles on a clear day. Underneath the Arch is the Museum of Westward Expansion which features displays showing life during the 1800’s along with exhibits of the planning and construction of the Arch itself. As a native of St. Louis, I’ve visited the Arch several times, and can attest it’s a thrilling and wonderful experience!

BEAUTIFUL, 8″x 10″ ARCHIVAL COLOR PRINTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR $20 EACH ( plus postage and Missouri sales tax if applicable) and a perfect keepsake gift for a wedding, anniversary, birthday, or as a fond remembrance of a visit to these two iconic landmarks.

TO PLACE YOUR ORDER CALL (314) 892-9221 or email me.