Avenue du Bois de Boulogne met ruiters en rijtuigen, Parijs 1887 - 1900

This photograph, titled "Avenue du Bois de Boulogne met ruiters en rijtuigen, Parijs" was created at an unknown date by an anonymous photographer. The photograph itself is a product of a complex chemical and mechanical process, relying on both scientific knowledge and skilled labor. The sepia tone results from the development process, but also gives the photograph a sense of historical distance. Consider the social context of the scene: the wide avenue, the leisurely figures on horseback and in carriages. These are all signs of wealth and privilege. The photograph documents the life of the Parisian elite, and by extension, the labor of those who supported that lifestyle, from stablehands to carriage makers. Even the photographer's work speaks to the emerging technologies and industries of the time. By examining the material and social context of this image, we can move beyond a simple aesthetic appreciation and understand its significance as a historical document, and as a product of specific social and economic conditions.