Fronton van het Pavillon Richelieu in het Palais du Louvre c. 1855 - 1857

Edouard Baldus produced this photograph of the Richelieu Pavilion at the Louvre in France in the mid-19th century. The photograph captures the pavilion's pediment, a triangular space filled with allegorical sculptures. The allegorical sculptures are steeped in the visual codes of classical antiquity, a popular style for institutional buildings at this time. The central figure represents France, surrounded by figures symbolizing the arts and sciences. Note how these figures and symbols communicate France's aspirations to be a center of culture, knowledge, and imperial power. The Louvre, initially a palace, was repurposed after the French Revolution as a public museum, reflecting a shift in the understanding of who could access and benefit from art and culture. To understand the full implications of this image, we might delve into archives, architectural plans, and political documents to explore the dialogue between artistic expression, national identity, and institutional ambition during this period.