Plaster Casts of Ornament from the South Transept Porch

As architects in the 19th century set about systematically documenting and restoring Chartres and other major monuments of the Middle Ages, photography, with its remarkable powers of description, was embraced as an essential tool of their effort. Charles Nègre made numerous trips to Chartres, as early as 1851, and was commissioned by the architect in charge of the cathedral’s restoration, Jean-Baptiste Lassus, to produce photogravures for a publication. This image of plaster casts made of portions of the statuary on the south porch was among those included in the book. Slightly surreal, beautifully lit, and richly printed, the work combines documentation with unique artistry.