Gipsmodellen voor beeldhouwwerken op het Palais du Louvre: links "Descartes" door Gabriel Joseph Garraud en rechts "Paré" door Michel-Pascal c. 1855 - 1857

This photograph, taken by renowned French photographer Édouard Baldus in the mid-19th century, depicts plaster models for sculptures that were to be displayed on the Palais du Louvre in Paris. On the left, "Descartes" by Gabriel Joseph Garraud, and on the right, "Paré" by Michel-Pascal, showcase the architectural and artistic ambitions of the period. This particular image, currently part of the Rijksmuseum collection, is a prime example of Baldus's skill in capturing the detail and grandeur of monumental projects, highlighting the interplay between sculpture and photography.