Colonne Vendôme op de Place Vendôme te Parijs c. 1865 - 1875

Compagnie Photographique Debitte & Hervé made this photograph of the Colonne Vendôme in Paris. The column itself was erected in the early 1800s under Napoleon Bonaparte, intended as a monument to his military victories. Looking at this photo now, we must consider it as more than just a record. It embodies a complex web of historical and political narratives. Built from the bronze of captured cannons, the column visually asserts dominance and imperial power. What stories are left out of this triumphant narrative? What perspectives are silenced in the face of such grand displays of power? The presence of the statue atop the column underscores the cult of personality surrounding Napoleon, a man whose legacy is still fiercely debated. The column has been torn down and erected again during moments of political upheaval in France. It stands as a potent symbol, embodying both national pride and contested histories.