Interior Elevation of Reims Cathedral with the Rood Screen and Throne for the Coronation of King Louis XVIII 1815

Charles Percier made this watercolor elevation of Reims Cathedral, including the rood screen and throne for the coronation of King Louis XVIII. This architectural rendering is not only a visual depiction, but also a testament to meticulous artistry and the cultural values of its time. The materials, watercolor on paper, are traditional, but the intent is far from ordinary. Percier captures the weight and grandeur of the cathedral, and the ephemeral, staged nature of the coronation ceremony. The layering of delicate washes creates depth, and the precise linework articulates the intricate details of the cathedral's gothic architecture, and the added, neoclassical throne. Think of the labor implied here; from the quarrying of stone for the cathedral itself to the weaving of the fabric, and the gilding of the throne. Percier’s elevation invites us to consider not just the aesthetics of power, but also the material and social foundations upon which it rests. It underscores how the convergence of craft, design, and materiality shape our understanding of history and culture.