Windvaan van de Tour Jeanne-d'Arc in Rouen 1874

This photogravure presents the weather vane of the Tour Jeanne-d'Arc in Rouen, meticulously captured by Witz et Cie. The composition emphasizes a vertical axis, punctuated by distinct formal elements. The base, a dark, inverted cone, supports a stylized foliate structure that rises to meet a slender shaft. This shaft bears a flag emblazoned with fleur-de-lis, crowned by a final, singular fleur-de-lis. The subdued palette and stark lighting create a play of shadows that accentuate the object's form, lending it a sculptural quality. The image engages with semiotic notions of heraldry and symbolism. The fleur-de-lis, historically a potent emblem of French royalty, is presented in a depopulated form. This distillation invites contemplation on the shifting status of signs and symbols. The structure prompts questions about the interplay between form and function, signifier and signified, especially in the context of post-structuralism. The photograph serves as a reminder that art is always open to reinterpretation.