Versailles, Fontaine du Point du Jour, (Tigre Terrassant un Ours par Houzeau) 1903

This photograph of the Fontaine du Point du Jour, was taken by Eugène Atget in Versailles. He worked with a large format camera and glass plate negatives, a method that required patience and technical skill. Notice how Atget’s choice of sepia-toned gelatin silver printing influences the appearance of the photograph. The warm hue emphasizes the textural contrast between the smooth stone and the rugged bronze sculpture. The sculpture itself, depicting a tiger wrestling a bear, is rendered with remarkable clarity and depth. Atget documented not just the object, but the labor and artistry embedded within it. The intense labor involved in quarrying, transporting, carving, and constructing such a monumental piece reflects the opulence and power associated with Versailles. By focusing on the physicality and the material presence of the sculpture, Atget’s photograph bridges the gap between fine art and craft. The photograph reminds us of the social context that shaped the sculpture's creation.