Curatorial Narrative The mid-nineteenth-century oil on canvas “Altar Flanked by St. Louis and St. Theresa” by Emile-Charles Wattier presents itself as a testament to the enduring influence of Baroque design on ecclesiastical architecture during this period. Characterized by fine brushwork, Wattier’s technique imbues the composition with an aura of luminosity, as if the very fabric of the painting is alive with an otherworldly radiance. This effect is heightened by the masterful deployment of a palette that oscillates between cool blues and warm reds, its chromatic structure deliberately calibrated to evoke a sense of reverence in the viewer. The deliberate juxtaposition of these colors not only underscores the grandeur of the altar but also creates a spatial rhythm that draws the eye inexorably towards the central axis.When viewed at 44×54 inches, Wattier’s “Altar Flanked by St. Louis and St. Theresa” begins to exert a profound infl