Gipsmodel voor een versiering van het Palais du Louvre c. 1855 - 1857

This photograph, taken by renowned French photographer Édouard Baldus, showcases a plaster model for a decorative element of the Palais du Louvre in Paris. Created between 1855 and 1857, the model features intricate carvings of floral motifs and a central panel depicting a stylized, grotesque mask. Baldus’s precise and detailed photographic style, characteristic of the burgeoning art of photography in the mid-19th century, allows for a close examination of the craftsmanship and artistic intention behind this design. This work now resides in the Rijksmuseum, offering a glimpse into the decorative arts and architectural ambitions of the Second French Empire.