Optocht met reclamewagen tijdens Mardi Gras op een plein in Parijs 1896

This photograph by Delizy captures a Mardi Gras parade with an advertising wagon in Paris. Looking closely, we see a dense crowd gathered in a square, with a large wagon dominating the scene. The wagon is emblazoned with the word ‘Deménagements’, advertising a moving company. Figures stand on the wagon, observing the crowd, while many more pack the street. It’s fascinating to consider this image within its socio-economic context. The late 19th century in France was a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization, leading to new forms of advertising and public spectacle. The presence of a commercial enterprise within a traditional celebration like Mardi Gras suggests a blurring of boundaries between commerce and culture. It also hints at the increasing importance of advertising in shaping public life in the era. To understand images such as these, we can look at historical archives, advertising ephemera, and social histories of Paris during this period. Through such research, we can better understand the reciprocal relationship between art, culture, and the emerging market economy.