Gipsmodellen voor versieringen aan de Cour Visconti van het Palais du Louvre door François Théophile Murgey c. 1855 - 1857

This is Edouard Baldus’s photograph of the plaster models for the decoration of the Cour Visconti, which is held at the Rijksmuseum. Baldus captured this image during a period of significant transformation in France, as the country modernized under the reign of Napoleon III. As we look at the image of these models, consider the social and cultural context in which they were produced. The Cour Visconti was part of a larger effort to renovate and expand the Louvre Palace. This project employed numerous artists and artisans, contributing to a sense of national pride and cultural identity. The plaster models themselves reflect the classical and allegorical themes popular at the time. Consider how these decorative elements contributed to the overall message and experience of the Louvre, reinforcing notions of power, history, and artistic achievement. Baldus’s photograph captures not only the physical appearance of the models, but also their role in shaping the cultural landscape of 19th-century France. It invites us to reflect on the ways in which art and architecture can serve as expressions of national identity and cultural values.