Twee deurkloppers als in de Kathedraal van Lausanne 1850 - 1900

Méderic Mieusement created this photograph of two door knockers at Lausanne Cathedral in Switzerland, sometime in the late 19th century. The image presents a compelling question about the social role of art and architecture. Cathedrals, historically centers of religious and community life, often feature elaborate ornamentation intended to inspire awe and reverence. These door knockers, adorned with fierce lion heads, serve a practical purpose but also communicate power and authority. The lion, a symbol of strength and courage, was a common motif in religious and secular art, and its presence on a cathedral door reinforces the institution's imposing image. Mieusement's photograph, in its precise detail, invites us to consider the politics of imagery. Who is welcome to enter here, and under what conditions? Careful historical research into the cathedral's history, architectural style, and the social context of Lausanne at the time, would help us better understand the complex relationship between religious institutions, artistic expression, and the communities they serve.