HISTORIC STAIRCASES
Theatrical Centerpieces & Spatial Geometry: Fine Art Photography • 1999–2025

Château de Guermantes, France -Guermantes Staircase Downview (Black & White)

Paris, France-Lycée Charlemagne Staircase Down View (Color)

Château de Sceaux, France: Grand Escalier -Grand Staircase Study (Black & White)

Château de Versailles, France: Palace of Versailles, Escalier Questel Downview Study (Sepia)

Château de Challain-la-Potherie, France-Spiral Staircase-Architectural Study (Black and White)

Château de Fontainebleau, France: Horseshoe Staircase Oblique View (Black & White)

Château de Versailles, France-Versailles: West Hundred Steps Panoramic View-Architectural Study (Black & White)

Château de la Ferté-Saint-Aubin: Private Servant Staircase (Color)

Château de Versailles, France: Gabriel's Staircase Square Architectural Study (Black & White)

Château de Courances, France: Horseshoe Staircase Architectural Study (Black & White)

Château de Balleroy, France: Balleroy Suspended Cantilevered Staircase (Color)

Château de Versailles, France: Gabriel's Staircase Architectural Study (Color)

Henbury Hall, Cheshire, England: Palladian Architecture Study – Henbury Hall, Downview of Spiral Staircase (Color)

Château de Versailles, France: Chateau from Escalier Des Cent Marches – The Hundred Steps East and West -Architectural Study (Sepia)

Château de Versailles, France — Staircase with Intricate Wrought‑Iron Railing (Black & White)
World Famous Staircases: Historic Geometric Studies
Focusing on the sculptural geometry and soaring lines of classical European architecture, this collection highlights historic staircases built during the 18th and 19th centuries. Photographed during extensive field work in France and England, the images capture a clean, quiet balance between ancient stonework and soft natural light.
William Curtis Rolf utilized exclusive closed‑day access at the Palace of Versailles, along with personal invitations to photograph the private interiors and grounds of estates such as Henbury Hall, Château de La Ferté‑Saint‑Aubin, and Château de Courances. From sweeping white stone cantilevers designed by François Mansart to grand architectural spirals by Ange‑Jacques Gabriel, the photographs offer an authentic view into private architectural masterpieces, entirely clear of public crowds.
Large‑scale prints from this archival collection are held in prestigious private collections worldwide. They are frequently acquired by leading architecture firms and art consultants for permanent display in luxury corporate flagships, high‑end design studios, and prominent residential projects.
Notably, the iconic Lycée Charlemagne Staircase print was featured for eight seasons as a central production set piece on the television series Castle.
Our studio collaborates closely with architectural firms, art consultants, and design professionals to tailor exhibition‑scale formats, spatial integration, and trade pricing for each project.