[Large Figures on the North Porch, Chartres Cathedral] 1852

Henri Le Secq made this photograph titled ‘Large Figures on the North Porch, Chartres Cathedral’ using a Calotype negative, waxed. The photograph invites us to consider the relationship between the church, the people, and the emerging medium of photography in mid-19th century France. Le Secq was commissioned to document historical monuments by the French government. The Chartres Cathedral, a symbol of religious and national identity, was undergoing restoration at the time. Photography, still in its infancy, was seen as a tool for preservation and documentation. But, it was also an artistic medium in its own right. Here, the artist captured the sculptures with a soft focus, emphasizing their timelessness and spiritual aura, but this could be interpreted as the artist's attempt to align the modern technology of photography with the traditions of religious art. To truly understand this work, it is helpful to consider the social and political context of 19th century France and the institutional history of photography. The photograph serves as a reminder of the complex ways in which art, religion, and technology intersect and shape our understanding of the world.