Koorbanken afkomstig uit de Notre-Dame te Amiens in het Musée des monuments français te Parijs c. 1875 - 1900

Médéric Mieusement created this photograph of choir stalls from Notre-Dame in Amiens while they were on display in Paris. The Musée des Monuments Français, where Mieusement captured this image, was established in the late 18th century to preserve French architectural heritage. The choir stalls, originating from Amiens Cathedral, embody the Gothic style prevalent in France during the medieval period. Notice how the image is staged, like the cathedral itself, it is designed to be a space of reverence and contemplation, shaping the viewer's experience through spatial and visual cues. By documenting these artifacts, Mieusement contributed to a broader cultural and institutional effort to safeguard French national identity through its architectural and artistic heritage. The Museum served an important role in the 19th century, as France's artistic institutions were defining "Frenchness". To further understand Mieusement's photograph, examining museum archives, architectural records, and historical accounts can help us to understand better the complex interplay between art, national identity, and institutional power.