Gezicht op de deur van de Galerie Francois 1er van het Kasteel van Fontainebleau, Frankrijk before 1875

Médéric Mieusement captured this image of the Galerie Francois 1er door at the Château de Fontainebleau, France, using photography. While photography may seem detached from traditional craft, consider how the act of capturing this elaborate wooden door and its surroundings transforms the original craftsmanship. The inherent qualities of the wood—its grain, texture, and the weight of the carvings—are flattened into a two-dimensional image. This process freezes a moment in time, allowing us to study the ornate details and the skill involved in the door's creation. The photograph prompts us to think about labor, not just of the woodworkers who originally carved the door, but also of Mieusement himself, carefully composing the shot and developing the print. It encourages us to consider the social context in which both the door and the photograph were produced. It also challenges us to reconsider the social and labor elements involved in the production of images, questioning the separation of fine art and craft.