Lock from Elaborate Dresson de Sacristy, now in the Hotel de Clugny 1875 - 1885

This watercolor and graphite drawing depicts a lock from an elaborate dresser in a sacristy, by Richardson Ellson & Co. The sacristy, now located in the Hotel de Clugny, was originally part of a religious institution. The lock, with its ornate Gothic tracery, is more than a mere security device. It stands as a symbol of the power and wealth of the Catholic church. The sacristy, holding sacred objects, demands protection. And the lock becomes a physical manifestation of the church’s attempt to control access to the divine. Yet, there's an inherent tension. Is it about safeguarding the sacred or controlling knowledge? The drawing itself invites us to consider the interplay of faith, authority, and the material culture of religion. Ultimately, the image speaks to how institutions use aesthetics to reinforce their status. It prompts reflection on the emotional and psychological power that religious symbols hold.