Historic Staircases — Theatrical Centerpieces & Spatial Geometry

Focusing on the sculptural geometry, architectural rhythm, and dramatic perspective of historic European interiors, this collection brings together William Curtis Rolf’s photographs of distinguished staircases and architectural passages in France and England. Spanning the 17th through 19th centuries, the body of work ranges from monumental royal staircases at Versailles and Fontainebleau to private estate interiors at Henbury Hall, Château de Courances, Château de Balleroy, and Château de la Ferté-Saint-Aubin.

Rolf’s approach goes beyond architectural documentation. Precise viewpoints, natural light, symmetry, perspective, and carefully observed details transform each staircase into an independent study of line, proportion, material, and space. Some photographs emphasize sweeping stone curves and monumental scale; others reveal intricate wrought-iron craftsmanship, geometric floor patterns, intimate service architecture, or the quiet relationship between a staircase and the landscape beyond.

Several photographs were made possible through rare private access, including closed-day photography at the Palace of Versailles and personal invitations to photograph privately held estates. At Henbury Hall in Cheshire, Rolf was invited by owner Sebastian de Ferranti to stay at the estate in 2011 while documenting its interiors and grounds as part of his broader study of Palladian architecture. His photographs of Château de Courances, Château de Balleroy, and Château de la Ferté-Saint-Aubin likewise reflect access to architectural spaces rarely encountered by the public.

The collection includes historically significant works such as the Degré du Roi, the King’s private staircase at Versailles; the Escalier Gabriel; the monumental Horseshoe Staircase at Fontainebleau; and the celebrated spiral staircase at Lycée Charlemagne in Paris. The latter was selected as a production set piece for eight seasons of the television series Castle, where it appeared behind Richard Castle’s office desk.

Created across decades of architectural fieldwork, these photographs form a cohesive exploration of how staircases shape movement, reveal craftsmanship, and organize space.

Large-scale works from the collection are held in private collections and have been acquired for residential, corporate, architectural, and design environments. The studio works with collectors, architects, interior designers, art consultants, and developers on exhibition-scale formats and custom presentation.