Gezicht op boulevard Carabacel te Nice c. 1872 - 1874

Eugène Degand captured this view of the Boulevard Carabacel in Nice using a photographic process during the 19th century. The composition is dominated by a panoramic vista of the urban landscape, rendered in sepia tones. The buildings, arranged along the boulevard and ascending the hillside, are meticulously detailed, emphasizing their architectural structure and form. Degand employs a structured composition, using the road as a line to guide the eye into the scene, drawing a parallel between the orderly arrangement of buildings and the careful composition of the photograph itself. The texture of the image, achieved through the photographic process, adds a layer of depth, highlighting the physical reality of the depicted scene. The photograph presents a structured view of urban development. It reflects broader concerns about space, representation, and the ordering of society. The formal qualities invite us to consider how the artwork engages with and interprets the world around it.