Gezicht op het Musée du Louvre in Parijs c. 1850 - 1870

This view of the Louvre in Paris was made with etching by Vibien Golvin. This image opens up questions about the transformation of the Louvre from a royal palace to a public museum, a shift that embodies evolving notions of national identity and access to culture. The print, likely produced for a middle-class audience, captures the Louvre not just as a building, but as a symbol of Parisian and French identity. The act of depicting and disseminating images of national monuments reflects a desire to shape a collective understanding of history and culture. This was at a time of revolution and social change in France, where control of cultural institutions was a key concern. By studying the print alongside historical documents such as visitor logs, exhibition catalogs, and period publications, we can begin to understand the complex interplay between art, power, and social change in France.