Gezicht op Monte Carlo Casino c. 1872 - 1874

Eugène Degand took this photograph of the Monte Carlo Casino sometime in the late 19th century. The image evokes the Belle Époque, a period of optimism and prosperity in Europe. The casino emerges as more than just a building, but as a monument to that era’s social stratification. The photograph’s composition emphasizes the casino’s grandeur. The building dominates the frame, a symbol of power and exclusivity. Note the lone carriage in the foreground, a subtle nod to the social elite who frequented such establishments. Monte Carlo itself was a playground for the rich, and this image encapsulates that reality. To truly understand this image, we can consult archives from the Société des Bains de Mer, the company that operated the casino, and explore how it shaped Monte Carlo's identity. The photograph, then, becomes a historical document, contingent on the social and institutional context in which it was produced and consumed.