Paviljoen Denon van het Louvre c. 1857

Edouard Baldus made this photograph of the Pavillon Denon of the Louvre, using a paper negative, at an unknown date. The Louvre itself is freighted with social and cultural meaning. Originally a royal palace, it was transformed into a public museum after the French Revolution. Baldus's photograph captures the grandeur of the building, with its classical columns, statues, and ornate detailing. But this isn't just a neutral record. It speaks to the 19th-century drive to document and celebrate national monuments. In France, at the time, photography was often used to project an image of cultural and political strength. We can ask: what was the role of photography in shaping perceptions of national identity and cultural heritage? Art historians delve into archives, historical documents, and critical literature to unpack the complex relationship between art, institutions, and society.