Standbeeld van Leopold I, hertog van Lotharingen, op de Église Saint-Sébastien te Nancy before 1896

This is an undated photograph of the Église Saint-Sébastien in Nancy, France, showcasing a statue of Leopold I, Duke of Lorraine. The photograph captures the church's facade, emphasizing the statue's placement atop the structure. Nancy, as the historical capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, has always been deeply embedded in European power dynamics, caught between French and German influences. Religious institutions like the Église Saint-Sébastien, and its monumental sculpture, play a role in shaping the city's identity and civic values. These monuments and buildings were not just places of worship but also instruments of power and influence, reflecting and reinforcing social hierarchies. Understanding the architectural and artistic patronage of figures like Leopold I provides insights into the socio-political landscape of the time. Historical archives, architectural plans, and local chronicles are useful tools to understand better the statue's cultural significance. Only through those sources, we are able to appreciate art's role in shaping history.