Gezicht op het Hôtel de Sens before 1840

Charles Bour made this lithograph of the Hôtel de Sens in the 19th century. The lithograph is part of a book spread with the image framed by delicate floral designs. Bour’s image presents a narrative of Parisian life, where the architecture serves as a backdrop to the daily interactions of its citizens. We see figures conversing in the foreground and horse-drawn carriages suggesting the pace of urban life. It's easy to imagine the sounds and smells of 19th-century Paris through this work. The Hôtel de Sens itself has a rich history, having been a residence for archbishops. Bour’s choice to depict this building may reflect the 19th-century interest in preserving and celebrating historical landmarks. However, what stories might the architecture hold, who lived and worked there, and whose stories are left untold? This image invites us to consider the layers of history embedded in the stones and streets of Paris, and how they reflect on its inhabitants.