Lantaarn met glazen bol, rustend op een gedraaide bronzen standaard staand op een bronzen voet in de vorm van dieren poten. c. 1878 - 1881

This photograph by Louis-Emile Durandelle depicts a glass-globe lantern resting on an ornate bronze stand. The image offers a glimpse into the rapidly modernizing urban landscape of 19th-century Europe. Durandelle, working in France, documented the changing face of Paris under the Second Empire. Here, the lantern, with its blend of classical motifs and modern lighting technology, symbolizes progress and civic order. The twist in the bronze stand, along with the stylized animal feet at its base, evoke a sense of historical grandeur. It is a visual reminder of the enduring power of tradition within a society embracing technological innovation. We, as historians, delve into archives and visual records to decode the messages embedded in such images. By understanding the social and institutional context, we can appreciate how artworks, such as this photograph, reflect and shape the world around them.