Portaal van de kathedraal van Rouen met rechts een doorkijk naar een kerktoren c. 1880 - 1900

Médéric Mieusement captured this image of the Rouen Cathedral using photography, a relatively new medium in the 19th century that allowed for the mass reproduction of images. The photograph's sepia tones emphasize the cathedral's stone facade, highlighting the textures and intricate carvings. The very act of photographing architecture was related to the increasing industrialization of the 19th century; a growing middle class sought to obtain images of the world, including these monuments to religion and power. Photography democratized access to art and architecture, and created a system of consumption around it. The photographer’s labor is evident in the careful composition, contrasting the micro-work of carving stone with the macro-capitalist context. Ultimately, this photograph raises questions about art, labor, and accessibility in an age of mass production.