Gipsmodellen voor versieringen op de Bibliothèque Impériale van het Palais du Louvre c. 1855 - 1857

This is a photograph by Edouard Baldus, showing plaster models for ornamentation on the Bibliothèque Impériale, part of the Palais du Louvre. Baldus was one of many photographers who documented the rapid transformation of Paris under Napoleon III. The plaster models were likely made by skilled artisans, who would have translated architectural drawings into three-dimensional forms. These models would have been used as guides for the stone carvers responsible for the final ornamentation of the building. Plaster is a relatively inexpensive and easily workable material, ideal for creating prototypes. The process of scaling up from plaster model to monumental stone carving involved many different hands, each contributing their expertise to the overall design. This photograph offers a glimpse into the world of 19th-century architectural production, reminding us that even the most monumental buildings are the result of countless hours of labor and skilled craftsmanship. It is a reminder that fine art and craft often have a shared history.