Gipsmodellen voor beeldhouwwerken op het Palais du Louvre: links "L'Art" en rechts "L'Encouragement" door Nanteuil c. 1855 - 1857

Edouard Baldus captured these plaster models for sculptures at the Palais du Louvre in an undated photograph. The statues represent “Art” and “Encouragement,” and were crafted by Nanteuil. During the 19th century, photography was a powerful tool for documenting and disseminating images of art and architecture. It was a time of immense social change, and photography played a role in shaping perceptions of culture and history. Here, the statues are depicted as idealized male nudes, reflecting a classical aesthetic that has historically excluded diverse bodies and identities. This image evokes questions about the representation of the human form and the power dynamics inherent in the construction of beauty. Baldus, who was commissioned to document France during a period of extensive transformation, offers us insight into the cultural values of the time, inviting contemplation on what is preserved and what stories remain untold.