Gezicht op een schoorsteenmantel in de Lodewijk XII vleugel van het Kasteel van Blois before 1875

Méderic Mieusement made this photograph of a mantelpiece in the Chateau de Blois sometime in the late 19th century. We see a stone fireplace with brick inside, and a highly ornamented, painted wooden over-mantel. In the image, the material qualities of stone, brick, and wood converge. The photograph itself becomes a record of the way these materials have been assembled to create this architectural feature. Notice the contrast between the rough texture of the brick and the smoothness of the carved wood. The design and materials have social significance, indicative of the labor, politics, and consumption of the era. The fireplace stands as a testament to skilled craftsmanship. By considering the materials, making, and context, we gain a deeper understanding of the Chateau de Blois, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.