Pavillon de Lesdiguières in het Palais du Louvre c. 1857

Edouard Baldus captured this image of the Pavillon de Lesdiguières at the Palais du Louvre using photography, a relatively new medium in the 19th century, born from the industrial revolution and advancements in chemistry and optics. The photographic process itself is key here; Baldus has meticulously captured the texture and grandeur of the Louvre's architecture. The stone appears solid and imposing, testament to the labor and skill of the masons who originally built it. Notice how the light plays across the facade, highlighting the intricate carvings and the sheer scale of the building. Photography, unlike painting or sculpture, offered a seemingly objective view of the world, yet it was still subject to the photographer's choices. Baldus, commissioned to document the Louvre, presents a vision of power and permanence. The photograph reminds us that all forms of making, whether it’s architecture or photography, are embedded in social and economic contexts, reflecting both the aspirations and the inequalities of their time.