Hôtel des Invalides te Parijs 1887 - 1900

Curator: Here we have an albumen print entitled “Hôtel des Invalides te Parijs”, dating from the late 19th century. Editor: It’s a very stately photograph, almost reverential in its presentation of the building. The tones are so subdued, a sepia wash over the entire scene. It almost feels dreamlike. Curator: This is an example of early cityscapes and neoclassicism in photography, captured through the albumen print technique, which was revolutionary at the time. We can situate this photograph within the visual discourse of empire, power and French identity. The Hôtel des Invalides carries within it stories of military might, of veterans, of the nation. Editor: Absolutely. Beyond its function, it's fascinating to see the dome itself. It carries so much weight, culturally, recalling centuries of architectural ambition, drawing visual links to Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. And these are visual motifs repeated across empires, connecting disparate power structures. I notice, for example, how the dome is heavily ornamented with religious and military symbols. Can you speak to that? Curator: The use of neoclassicism links the current French empire with the historical grandiosity of empires past. Think about the way architecture serves the regime that builds it: what does this image tell us? What does it want us to see? Editor: And consider what’s not shown. It’s as if the photograph encourages us to think of enduring institutions and timeless power. I’m thinking about cultural memory and how symbols work over long durations. This architectural choice speaks to France’s continuous attempts to claim authority. Curator: Examining this photograph encourages us to explore the relationships between visual representation, national identity and power dynamics. Editor: Agreed. Seeing the enduring symbolism through time enriches the way we approach photography, shifting away from a focus only on history towards questions of influence.