Panorama de la Cité 1860s

Edouard Baldus captured this view of Paris using photography, a relatively new process at the time. Photography’s rise was tied to wider social issues of labor, politics and consumption. It was celebrated for its mechanical objectivity, offering seemingly unbiased documentation of the world. Yet, it was far from neutral. The wet collodion process used by Baldus required skill, precision, and an understanding of chemistry. It involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals, exposing it in the camera, and then developing the image, all before the plate dried. In this "Panorama de la Cité," the choice of subject matter and viewpoint—elevated, orderly, and focused on the grandeur of Parisian architecture—reflects the values of the bourgeoisie. The image emphasizes progress and civilization, subtly reinforcing a particular worldview. This reminds us that every artistic medium has its own potential, and that understanding the materials, making, and context is crucial in understanding the full meaning of the artwork.