Gipsmodellen voor beeldhouwwerken op het Palais du Louvre: links "Keller" door Pierre Alfred Robinet en rechts "Coysevox" door Jules Droz c. 1855 - 1857

Edouard Baldus made this photograph of plaster models for sculptures at the Palais du Louvre. The plaster captures every subtle curve and fold, revealing the sculptor's hand and the way they worked with clay or wax before the final carving in stone. Plaster allowed for corrections and refinements, a crucial stage in the design process before committing to the permanence of marble or bronze. What is interesting here is that Baldus has not photographed the finished objects in situ, but rather, these fragile, preparatory models. This focus reveals the labor and craft involved in creating monumental artworks, rather than just celebrating the finished product. Photography itself, while a relatively new medium at the time, shares a similar relationship to mass production and reproducibility. This image reminds us that every grand achievement begins with humble materials, skilled hands, and a process of constant refinement. It challenges us to look beyond the polished surface and appreciate the artistry embedded within the process of making.