Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Ile St. Louis

Troller, Norbert, 1940

Name Class Date
Troller, Norbert, Ile St. Louis (1940), Leo Baeck Institute. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Troller, Norbert wahooart.com/en/artists/troller-norbert/
Artist’s dates
1896 – 1984
Painted
1940
Medium
Etching Lines bitten into a metal plate with acid, which lets the artist draw as freely as with a pen.
Original size
42 x 33 cm
Period
Modern
Held at
Leo Baeck Institute wahooart.com/en/museums/leo-baeck-institute-new-york-city/
Artistic style
Black and white etching
Notable elements
Bridge, buildings, boats, and a figure
Subject or theme
Parisian cityscape and old-world charm

Copyright This work is still under copyright. Troller, Norbert died in 1984; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2054. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Source: WahooArt.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

Ile St. Louis — Troller, Norbert Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Ile St. Louis — Troller, Norbert

How big is it?

The original measures 42 × 33 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1890
  2. 1900
  3. 1910
  4. 1920
  5. 1930
  6. 1940
  7. 1950
  8. 1960
  9. 1970
  10. 1980

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 88 at death.

Painted when the artist was 44. The artist lived to 88. 0 of the 17 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Troller, Norbert (1896–1984) ▲ this work, 1940 every dated painting, decade by decade

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wahooart.com/en/art/similar/troller-norbert-ile-st-louis-D7RSDF-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Sap Green #5f6557

    Catalogued palette

    • #5F6557
    • #ECE0C0
    • #9D9E88
    • #CAC5A9

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Sap Green
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Gentle How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Troller, Norbert over the last twelve months — 3 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 45.0%900 visits
    2. 2 Italy 45.0%900 visits
    3. 3 Poland 10.0%200 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 13 most looked-at works by Troller, Norbert

    1. 1 Street Scene, Paris, 1948 16.0%400 visits
    2. 2 Terezin: People waiting for the soup, 1943 12.0%300 visits
    3. 3 Sailboat, 1940 12.0%300 visits
    4. 4 Terezin, Latrines, 1942 12.0%300 visits
    5. 5 Terezin: Yard, 1943 8.0%200 visits
    6. 6 Ile St. Louis, 1940 this painting 8.0%200 visits
    7. 7 Street, Italy, 1940 8.0%200 visits
    8. 8 Junk Furniture, Terezin, 1943 4.0%100 visits
    9. 9 Terezin: Yard, 1943 4.0%100 visits
    10. 10 Waterside, Maine, 1940 4.0%100 visits
    11. 11 Priest bearing cross, 1940 4.0%100 visits
    12. 12 New York City, 1950 4.0%100 visits
    13. 13 House and trees, reflected in water, 1940 4.0%100 visits

    Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 17 works by this artist, of which 13 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 6 of them, with 8.0% of that attention (200 visits). The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: WahooArt.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Ile St. Louis — Troller, Norbert Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Ile St. Louis — Troller, Norbert

    A Timeless Glimpse of Paris: The Etching of Ile St. Louis

    In the delicate, monochromatic strokes of Norbert Troller’s 1940 etching, Ile St. Louis, we are transported to a bygone era of Parisian elegance. This masterful work captures the quiet, rhythmic soul of one of Paris's most enchanting islands, where the Seine flows gently beneath historic bridges. The composition presents a breathtaking cityscape, characterized by the intricate textures of old-world architecture. Buildings adorned with countless windows and ornate balconies line the water's edge, their silhouettes rendered with an architectural precision that speaks to Troller’s profound training as an architect. Through the medium of etching, every line carries weight and intention, creating a sense of depth that invites the viewer to wander through the misty, atmospheric streets of the 20th-century cityscape.

    The technique employed in this piece is nothing short of captivating. As an etching, the artwork relies on the interplay of light and shadow, using fine, etched lines to build volume and movement. The water below the bridge is not merely a flat surface but a living element, populated by small boats that suggest a bustling, yet serene, maritime life. A solitary figure stands near the center of the frame, acting as a silent witness to the grandeur of the scene. This inclusion of human presence provides a sense of scale and a poignant emotional anchor, transforming a mere architectural study into a narrative about the human connection to our urban environments. The contrast between the solid, enduring stone of the buildings and the fluid, transient nature of the river creates a visual tension that is both intellectually stimulating and aesthetically pleasing.

    Beyond its technical brilliance, Ile St. Louis carries a profound historical resonance. Created in 1940, a period of immense global upheaval, Troller’s focus on the enduring beauty of Paris offers a sanctuary of peace. Knowing the artist's later history—his resilience and his documentation of life within the Theresienstadt concentration camp—one cannot help but view this serene depiction of French life through a lens of bittersweet nostalgia. It serves as a testament to the power of art to preserve beauty even when the world feels as though it is fracturing. For the discerning collector or interior designer, this reproduction offers more than just decoration; it provides a window into a moment of historical stillness, making it an exquisite centerpiece for any space that values depth, history, and the timeless allure of classical European landscapes.

    Source: WahooArt.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Ile St. Louis — Troller, Norbert Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Troller, Norbert

    Born in Brno, Czech Republic

    early life and education

    troller, norbert, a czech-american architect and artist, was born in brno, czech republic in 1896. he served as a soldier in world war i, taken prisoner by the italians but released within a year. after the war, he studied architecture at the brno technical university and later at the academy of fine arts in vienna.

    artistic expression in the face of adversity

    in 1942, troller was deported to theresienstadt concentration camp, where he utilized his artistic skills to document life within the camp. his works, characterized by their poignant portrayal of daily life, serve as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience.

    notable works and exhibitions

    troller's artwork has been featured in various exhibitions, including "terezin 1942-44: through the eyes of norbert troller" at the yeshiva university museum.

    his designs and sketches have also been showcased in the leo baeck institute's collection, highlighting his architectural expertise within the camp.

    some of his notable works can be found on AllPaintingsStore, a platform dedicated to showcasing artistic masterpieces.

    legacy and impact

    through his art, troller has left an indelible mark on history, serving as a poignant reminder of the atrocities faced by those in concentration camps during world war ii. his legacy continues to inspire artists and scholars alike.

    further reading and resources

    troller, norbert | AllPaintingsStore - explore more of troller's artwork on AllPaintingsStore.

    gemäldegalerie alte meister, germany: a comprehensive guide to the old masters gallery - discover the world of european art with this comprehensive guide.

    conclusion

    norbert troller's life serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit's capacity for resilience and creativity in the face of adversity. through his artwork, we are offered a poignant glimpse into the lives of those who suffered during world war ii, ensuring their stories are never forgotten.

    Museum

    Leo Baeck Institute

    On show in New York City, United States of America

    A Sanctuary of Memory in the Heart of New York

    In the vibrant tapestry of New York City, nestled within the prestigious Center for Jewish History, lies a sanctuary that transcends the traditional boundaries of a museum. The

    Leo Baeck Institute

    serves as a profound beacon of remembrance, a place where the echoes of a vanished world are preserved with meticulous care and reverence. It is not merely a repository for artifacts but a living, breathing hub of scholarly investigation, where the shadows of the past are illuminated by the light of rigorous research and cultural engagement. The architecture of the institute reflects its solemn yet forward-looking mission, designed with a deliberate and striking simplicity that avoids unnecessary ornamentation to prioritize the intellectual exploration within its walls. This architectural restraint creates an atmosphere of focused contemplation, allowing the weight of history to resonate through every corridor and offering a bridge between eras.

    The Soul of a Culture Preserved

    To wander through the collections of the

    Leo Baeck Institute

    is to embark on an intimate journey through the soul of a culture. The holdings are nothing short of extraordinary, offering unparalleled insights into the vibrancy of German-Jewish life before the darkness of the mid-twentieth century. For the art lover and the scholar alike, the institute provides an enduring connection to a legacy of profound cultural significance. The collections feature:

    Rare Jewish Books:

    Exquisitely crafted manuscripts from centuries past that bear witness to profound religious scholarship and delicate artistic expression.

    Photographic Archives:

    Poignant images that capture the faces, families, and landscapes of communities forever changed, presenting portraits of everyday individuals whose lives were woven into the cultural fabric of Europe.

    Personal Papers:

    A collection of letters and documents that serve as a window into an era of resilience and adaptation, documenting individual narratives amidst extraordinary circumstances.

    What truly distinguishes the

    Leo Baeck Institute

    is its unwavering dedication to the nuance of identity. Unlike institutions that seek breadth, the LBI focuses deeply on the specificities of German-speaking Jewry, ensuring that the intricate details of their history are never lost to generalization. Through notable exhibitions that explore everything from the intellectual currents of the Weimar Republic to the artistic responses to wartime trauma, the institute fosters a vital dialogue between the past and the present, ensuring that the indelible mark of German-Jewish culture continues to inspire, educate, and move generations to come.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Ile St. Louis

    wahooart.com/en/art/download/troller-norbert-ile-st-louis-D7RSDF-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Norbert, Troller,. Ile St. Louis. 1940, Leo Baeck Institute. https://wahooart.com/en/art/troller-norbert-ile-st-louis-D7RSDF-en/
    APA
    Norbert, Troller, (1940). Ile St. Louis [Painting]. Leo Baeck Institute. https://wahooart.com/en/art/troller-norbert-ile-st-louis-D7RSDF-en/
    Chicago
    Troller, Norbert. Ile St. Louis. 1940. Leo Baeck Institute. https://wahooart.com/en/art/troller-norbert-ile-st-louis-D7RSDF-en/
    Harvard
    Norbert, Troller, (1940) Ile St. Louis. Leo Baeck Institute. Available at: https://wahooart.com/en/art/troller-norbert-ile-st-louis-D7RSDF-en/

    Source: WahooArt.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Ile St. Louis — Troller, Norbert Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Ile St. Louis — Troller, Norbert

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: cityscape, etching, paris. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Priest bearing cross (1940), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Troller, Norbert was about 44 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: WahooArt.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Ile St. Louis — Troller, Norbert Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    What technique was used for "Ile St. Louis" by Troller, Norbert?

    The medium of "Ile St. Louis" by Troller, Norbert is etching. Reproductions aim to render the appearance of this technique.

    What subjects appear in "Ile St. Louis" by Troller, Norbert?

    The subjects of "Ile St. Louis" are cityscape, etching, paris, bridge, river seine, architecture, black and white.

    Who is the artist behind "Ile St. Louis"?

    "Ile St. Louis" was created by Troller, Norbert. The information on this page describes Troller, Norbert's original work.