Zaal van Frans I van Frankrijk in het Musée de Cluny te Parijs 1850 - 1900

This albumen print captures the Zaal van Frans I van Frankrijk in het Musée de Cluny in Paris, sometime in the late 19th century, by Médéric Mieusement. The photograph is an artwork in itself, of course, but its real subject is the interior design of the room. Look closely and you'll see that the stone fireplace dominates, its carved details a testament to the enduring traditions of masonry. Nearby, the chairs and tables, heavy with ornament, speak to the labour-intensive processes of furniture making. These interiors were meant to convey power. Now consider that Mieusement would have worked with bulky photographic equipment and hazardous chemicals, a process demanding both technical skill and patience. His print captures not just a room, but a whole network of craft practices, from the carving of stone to the weaving of textiles. Ultimately, this photograph underscores how materials, making, and social context are intertwined, challenging any easy separation between art and craft.