Receptiezaal van het stadhuis van Parijs c. 1860 - 1880

This stereoscopic photograph captures the reception hall of the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, once captured by the lens of Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy. Here, the room's opulence, with its extravagant chandeliers and meticulously designed furniture, speaks volumes. The central pouf, or cushioned ottoman, becomes an island of comfort, and is a motif echoed through history. This shape is reminiscent of ancient gathering places, from Roman forums to medieval round tables, symbolizing community and shared space. Yet, observe how this motif shifts through time. The communal spirit of ancient plazas morphs into a symbol of luxury and power. Here, the elaborate details of the room—the chandeliers, ornate columns—create an atmosphere that perhaps subconsciously recalls grandiose Roman spaces while adapting them into a display of modern Parisian elegance and authority. Through these symbols, Lamy’s photograph does not merely capture a space but the cyclical progression of power and culture.