Deel van de gevel van het Château d'Usson te Échebrune c. 1875 - 1900

Médéric Mieusement made this albumen print of a section of the facade of the Château d'Usson in Échebrune, France, at an unknown date. Mieusement's image captures the Château’s architecture, reflecting the aristocratic tastes of the era, but it also unwittingly documents a moment in the history of heritage preservation. Photography in 19th-century France played a crucial role in cataloging and preserving cultural landmarks. This was a period of rapid modernization and urbanization, which caused concern about the disappearance of historical sites. Mieusement's work, seen in this context, becomes a valuable historical document, capturing the castle's state at a specific time. Such photographs were often commissioned by institutions or wealthy patrons interested in preserving a visual record of France's architectural heritage. Through careful study of photographs and other period documents, we can better understand the cultural values and historical processes that shaped both the Château d'Usson and its representation in art.