Exterieur van een vleugel van het Louvre c. 1880 - 1890

This albumen print, by an anonymous photographer known only as X, captures a section of the Louvre in Paris. Although undated, it likely comes from the mid-19th century when photography was transforming how the world saw itself. The image freezes a moment in the Louvre's long history. Originally a fortress, then a royal palace, it stood as a symbol of power. By this time, the Louvre was transitioning into a public museum, a move that reflected changing social values. The photograph itself participates in this shift: by making the Louvre visible and accessible to a wider audience, it embodies the democratic potential of photography. To understand this image, we must delve into Parisian history, exploring the political forces that shaped the Louvre's architecture and its eventual conversion into a public space. Resources in museum archives, historical societies, and libraries can tell us more. This photograph invites us to reflect on the social forces that shape our access to art and culture.