Gezicht op een hoektoren van de Frans I vleugel van het Kasteel van Blois before 1875

Méderic Mieusement captured this albumen print of the Château de Blois. Mieusement, active in the second half of the 19th century, documented French architecture and landscapes. Mieusement’s photograph offers a glimpse into the visual culture of 19th-century France, where photography was increasingly used to document and celebrate national heritage. This image can be read as part of a broader cultural movement to preserve and romanticize historical sites, which often served to reinforce national identity. The Château de Blois, with its connections to French royalty, became a symbol of national pride. The photograph's aesthetic choices, such as the angle and the play of light and shadow, contribute to the monumentality and grandeur of the building. It’s a composition that invites viewers to reflect on the passage of time and the enduring legacy of French history. The image also evokes a sense of nostalgia.