Reproductie van ontwerpen van een boekomslag, twee medaillons, het schild van Frankrijk en twee voetstukken before 1864

This is a reproduction of designs by Moulin, showing a book cover, medallions, the shield of France and pedestals. Considered as an ensemble, these designs represent the cultural project of 19th-century France, evoking national history through images of heraldry, royalty, and religion. Books, shields, and pedestals speak to France's cultural institutions, political history, and public spaces. What meaning did these images have at the time? We might consider the role of the museum and the library as institutions of national identity. The shield of France is a particularly potent symbol of national pride and military power. The medallions might have had a more religious significance, reflecting the ongoing influence of the church in French society. To fully understand this image, we need to explore the visual culture of 19th-century France, tracing the use of such symbols in other media such as painting, sculpture, and architecture. We also need to research the social and political context in which these images were produced, asking who commissioned them and what purposes they served.