Elevation of a Church or Chapel with designs for ornament and a painted triptych of the Virgin Mary 1845 - 1900

Jules-Edmond-Charles Lachaise made this watercolor and graphite drawing, "Elevation of a Church or Chapel," sometime in the early twentieth century. The work depicts an ornate design for a religious space, raising questions about the role of art and architecture in shaping religious experience and reinforcing institutional power. The image creates meaning through its use of traditional Christian symbols, like the triptych of the Virgin Mary, and architectural elements associated with established religion. Made in France, a country with a strong Catholic history, this design reflects a specific cultural and religious context. The attention to detail and ornamentation suggests a desire to create a sacred space that inspires awe and reverence. But the design may also be read in light of France's turbulent political history, where the Catholic Church's role in public life was often contested. Was Lachaise reinforcing traditional values, or proposing a new vision for religious expression? To fully understand this work, we would need to delve into the social and political context of early 20th-century France, exploring the relationship between religion, art, and national identity through archival sources.