Gevel, toren en zuilengalerij van het stadhuis van La Rochelle

This albumen print of the town hall of La Rochelle, was created by Médéric Mieusement sometime in the late 19th century. The print-making process starts with a glass negative, and involves coating paper with albumen, or egg white, and silver nitrate to make it light-sensitive. It is then exposed to sunlight via the negative, and subsequently washed, toned, and fixed. In this case, the chemical process has left the scene bathed in sepia tones. The image captured in the photograph depicts not only an architectural feat, but also an elaborate display of craftsmanship. The facade is adorned with decorative carvings and statues, showcasing the skills of stone carvers and sculptors. In its time, the town hall represented civic pride, as well as political and economic power. Photography was not yet fully integrated into the fine arts during Mieusement's time. Studying this image is a reminder that any photograph is the result of material processes, labor, and cultural context.