Gipsmodellen voor beeldhouwwerken op het Palais du Louvre: links "La Musique" door Jules Salmson en rechts "L'Art assyrien" door Jean Louis Nicolas Jaley c. 1855 - 1857

Edouard Baldus, a pioneering photographer of the 19th century, captured this image of plaster models for sculptures intended for the Palais du Louvre in Paris. The image showcases two distinct sculptures: "La Musique" (Music) by Jules Salmson, depicting a youthful figure surrounded by musical instruments, and "L'Art assyrien" (Assyrian Art) by Jean Louis Nicolas Jaley, featuring a seated male figure representing the artistic heritage of Assyria. These models, photographed in 1855-1857, highlight the meticulous planning involved in the creation of grand architectural projects, demonstrating the evolving role of photography as a tool for documentation and artistic expression.