Reliëf met twee mannen in de kathedraal van Aix-en-Provence c. 1875 - 1900

Médéric Mieusement made this photograph of a relief in the Cathedral of Aix-en-Provence, likely in the late 19th century, using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. The image captures a section of an elaborately carved wooden door, featuring two male figures in relief, surrounded by intricate gothic architectural details. The choice of photography as a medium is fascinating here, since it was then, as now, associated with notions of truth and objectivity. Yet Mieusement has framed the work in a way that emphasizes its sculptural qualities. Mieusement's photograph highlights the labor-intensive nature of the original carving, and the traditions of craftsmanship involved in the creation of the cathedral doors. Photography, as a method of reproduction, democratizes access to this craft, allowing viewers to appreciate the intricate details regardless of their ability to visit the cathedral in person. The photograph also invites us to consider the relationship between craft, art, and industry in the 19th century, and what it means to represent the human touch in an age of mechanical reproduction.