Toegangsportaal van het stadhuis van La Rochelle, gezien vanaf de zijkant c. 1875 - 1900

This photograph captures the entrance portal of La Rochelle’s City Hall, snapped by Médéric Mieusement sometime in the late 19th century, using the albumen print process. This technique, popular at the time, involved coating paper with a layer of egg white and silver nitrate, creating a surface sensitive to light. Mieusement, by using this technique, invites us to consider the amount of work involved, both in the craftsmanship of the building and in the photographic process itself. The sharply defined architectural details stand out. It's amazing to consider the labor involved in constructing this elaborate stone facade, adorned with sculptures and intricate carvings, and the labor needed to produce such a detailed photograph. Each print required meticulous preparation and careful timing. The albumen print, with its distinctive sepia tone and glossy surface, was more than just a means of documentation. It was a cultural artifact, a product of its time that reflected the values and aesthetics of a rapidly changing world. It encourages us to consider the social context in which it was produced.