Gipsmodel voor beeldhouwwerk op het Palais du Louvre: "La Beauté et l'Art" door Eugène Guillaume c. 1855 - 1857

This photograph by Edouard Baldus captures a plaster model for a sculpture called "La Beauté et l'Art," intended for the Palais du Louvre. It depicts two figures, presumably representing Beauty and Art, supporting a central disc. Plaster models like this were a crucial step in the production of large-scale sculptures during the 19th century. Sculptors would first create a small-scale model in clay or wax, then scale it up in plaster, allowing for refinements before carving the final work in stone or bronze. Photography allowed the artists to document, share, and sell the artworks. The plaster itself, though seemingly simple, is a material imbued with cultural significance. It allowed for the efficient and precise reproduction of complex forms and the creation of idealized figures, aligning with the Neoclassical aesthetic. The use of plaster also speaks to the industrialization of art production, hinting at the labor and processes involved in creating these grand public works. Baldus' photograph preserves a fleeting moment in this production process, reminding us that even seemingly timeless works of art are the result of material choices, skilled labor, and specific historical contexts.