Exterieur van het Cirque d'Hiver te Parijs c. 1865 - 1875

The Compagnie Photographique Debitte & Hervé captured the exterior of the Cirque d'Hiver in Paris with a photograph of modest size. Built in 1852, this circus building reflects the Second Empire's taste for spectacle and classical references. The facade is articulated with engaged columns and a frieze depicting equestrian scenes. These visual cues associate circus performances with the grandeur of Roman chariot races, part of an effort to make popular entertainment respectable. The photograph itself contributes to this project: by documenting the circus in a style reminiscent of architectural surveys, the photographers lent it an air of official importance. Understanding this image requires us to consider the social role of entertainment in mid-19th century Paris. What kinds of activities were considered appropriate for different social classes? How did institutions like the Cirque d'Hiver negotiate these boundaries? These are the questions that social and cultural historians can help us explore.