Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, Marseille 1864 - 1900

The brothers Neurdein captured Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde in Marseille, using photography, a process rooted in chemistry and optics. Consider the materiality of this photograph. A glass plate negative coated with light-sensitive emulsion was exposed in a camera, capturing the architectural monument. The resulting latent image was then developed through chemical reactions, fixing the image onto the plate. Finally, the image was printed on paper. The photograph presents a distinct perspective on the basilica, a blend of architectural grandeur and the craft of photography. Photography democratized image-making, making it more accessible than painting. This is crucial, because it was previously only accessible to the elite. The act of capturing this scene using photography blurs the line between mere documentation and artistic interpretation. The Neurdein brothers, through their choice of composition and the manipulation of photographic processes, elevate this image beyond the purely representational, inviting us to consider the dynamic interplay between technology, artistry, and the monumental architecture.