Gevel aan de Cour Lefuel van het Palais du Louvre c. 1857

Edouard Baldus made this albumen print of the Cour Lefuel facade of the Louvre Palace sometime in the 19th century. The image embodies both the grandeur of the Second Empire and the optimism around technological advancement at the time. Baldus was commissioned by the French government to document the restoration and expansion of the Louvre. The image presents a meticulously detailed view of the architecture, emphasizing symmetry and classical motifs. This aesthetic aligns with the Second Empire's vision of Paris as a modern, imperial capital, reflecting its ambition to connect itself to the glory of previous empires. Photography at this time played a crucial role in shaping public perception of urban development. Baldus’s photographs were not merely documents, but instruments in promoting the regime's vision of progress. Studying archival material, such as government records and publications, helps us to better understand the intentions of the image. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.