Choix d'objets d'art religieux du moyen-age et de la renaissance exposés à Malines en septembre 1864 / avec texte descr. par W.H.J. Weale 1866

This is the title page of ‘Choix d'objets d'art religieux du moyen-age et de la renaissance exposés à Malines en septembre 1864', published in Brussels in 1866. This book documents a fascinating moment in the cultural history of Belgium. In the mid-19th century, there was a surge of interest in medieval and Renaissance religious art. Figures like James Weale, the author of the descriptive text, were at the forefront of rediscovering and cataloging these objects. This photolithographic collection served a dual purpose. It catered to a growing market for religious art reproductions, while also shaping public perception of national artistic heritage. The choice of objects and the way they were presented reinforced certain religious and aesthetic values. To truly understand this artwork, one needs to examine exhibition catalogs, period reviews, and the writings of figures like Weale. By doing so, we can appreciate how cultural institutions and individuals influenced the understanding and appreciation of art in their time.