Fontaine, place de la Concorde, Paris Possibly 1855 - 1978

Edouard Baldus captured this view of the Place de la Concorde in Paris with a photographic print. The obelisk commands attention, a lone, upright pillar that speaks of ancient power and endurance. The obelisk, originating from ancient Egypt, represented the sun god Ra and symbolized stability and creative force. It pierces the sky, acting as a constant reminder of a connection between the earthly and the divine. Consider the obelisks erected by Roman emperors, symbols of their dominion and appropriation of Egyptian power. This act of cultural transplantation has persisted through time, echoing in various monuments across different civilizations. The obelisk retains its primal, almost subconscious, appeal as a symbol of authority and timelessness. Its reappearance in the Place de la Concorde invokes a lineage of power, resilience, and the enduring human fascination with imposing forms.