The Model Gallery. Science, Art, and Technology

Lighthouses, bridges, and other engineering structures... the “model gallery,” mainly composed of models of buildings constructed by civil engineers, was housed by the École nationale des ponts et chaussées from its creation in 1747 until its demolition in 1954.

The collections of this gallery-museum, now scattered or lost, showcased the grandeur of the engineers' achievements, as well as the evolution of the techniques used in their construction. They also constituted a central educational resource in the teaching of the 18th and 19th centuries. The few remaining traces, some of which are gathered here, provide an insight into these tools, which were figurative, educational, and artistic.

The “Histoire(s) de fonds” collection aims to immerse you in the heritage collections of the École nationale des ponts et chaussées: manuscripts, photographs, books, models, scientific instruments, engravings, and more bear witness to a rich history of science and technology, as well as public policies on land use and infrastructure. Each selection is introduced by a short summary written by a specialist in the subject.

Buy "La galerie des modèles. Science, art et technique" (The Model Gallery. Science, Art, and Technology - Anne Lacourt) at Presses des Ponts (in French)