Galerij van François I in het paleis van Fontainebleau c. 1875 - 1900

Méderic Mieusement made this photograph of the Galerie of François I at Fontainebleau Palace. It documents the architecture and decoration of the gallery. The image itself, printed on paper, becomes a document of design and labor. Look closely at the elaborate woodwork and plasterwork, all captured through Mieusement’s lens. The photograph speaks volumes about the skilled labor involved in the making of the gallery. Consider the expertise required to carve the intricate details, and to construct the architectural framework. The Galerie of François I embodies the social and cultural values of the time, reflecting the power and wealth of the French monarchy. The production of this photograph is part of a long history of creative practices, and the way the photograph emphasizes its materiality and the social context in which it was made challenges traditional distinctions between art and craft.