Gezicht op de zijgevel en de toegangsbrug van Château Larochefoucauld c. 1875 - 1900

Méderic Mieusement created this albumen print of the Château Larochefoucauld in France sometime in the late 19th century. Mieusement’s choice of subject speaks volumes about the cultural values of the time. During the 19th century, there was a widespread fascination with the medieval past. This was a time when the aristocracy still held considerable sway, and ancestral homes like the Château Larochefoucauld were potent symbols of their continued power and prestige. Mieusement's work also reflects the rise of tourism and the development of photography as a means of documenting and disseminating images of famous landmarks. His photographs catered to a growing market for picturesque views and historical monuments, serving as both souvenirs and sources of information. To understand this image better, we might consult historical records about the Château Larochefoucauld, travel guides from the period, and studies of the development of photography as a commercial and artistic medium. In this way we learn to appreciate how it participates in the visual culture of its time.