Sculptuur in de vestibule van het Grand Trianon, voorstellende een jonge herder c. 1860 - 1880

This photograph by Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy captures a marble sculpture of a young shepherd inside the Grand Trianon. Stone carving is a process of patient removal, as the sculptor coaxes form from a solid block. The inherent qualities of marble, its cool, smooth texture, and the way it reflects light, all contribute to the sculpture's serene presence. Lamy has skillfully exploited these qualities, creating a figure that embodies classical ideals of beauty and tranquility. The smooth, polished surface of the marble invites touch, while the subtle gradations of light and shadow bring the shepherd to life. When we consider the labor involved in extracting, transporting, and carving this marble, the sculpture becomes more than just a decorative object. It speaks to a whole system of production, one that relies on the exploitation of both natural resources and human labor. Paying attention to materials and making helps us understand its cultural and social significance, and challenges our assumptions about the division between art and craft.