Gevel en trappenhuis van het kasteel van Blois c. 1880 - 1900

Médéric Mieusement made this photograph of the facade and staircase of the Château de Blois in France, sometime in the late 19th century. This image gives us insight into the cultural project of the late 19th century: the preservation, restoration and imaging of national heritage. In France, this took the form of identifying and safeguarding important buildings, artworks and historical sites under the direction of the state. The photograph creates meaning through visual codes that associate France with the grandeur of its royal past. We see the magnificent architecture of the Château, a royal residence, and the intricate details of the facade and staircase. This architectural preservation served a social purpose in the late 19th century: reinforcing national identity. By studying state archives, architectural plans, and other historical documents, we can better understand the values and beliefs that shaped this cultural project and its lasting impact on French society.