Interior Elevation of Reims Cathedral with a Statue of King Louis I and an Altar placed at Front 1815

Charles Percier rendered this interior elevation of Reims Cathedral with watercolor and graphite. These are interesting choices, given that Percier was one of the most prominent architects and designers of his day. Watercolor is typically associated with sketches, not precise architectural renderings. You can see this in the somewhat loose application of color throughout the image. Percier employed graphite to lay out the structure of the cathedral and to render the statue of King Louis I. The finish has a flatness reminiscent of printmaking. This piece probably wasn't made as a study for an actual building project. Instead, Percier seems to have been making a point about the relationship between design, representation, and the culture of his time. The print-like quality flattens the image, much as the French Revolution had flattened the old social order. In this context, Percier's choice of materials and techniques is far from arbitrary. He is making a statement about the status of architecture in a rapidly changing world. He asks us to reflect on the social and political implications of design.