Exterieur van Villa Ausone te Arcachon c. 1870 - 1880

This photograph, titled "Exterieur van Villa Ausone te Arcachon," was created by Bouillier using the 19th-century process of albumen print. The albumen process involved coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate, creating a light-sensitive surface. The negative was then placed on the prepared paper and exposed to light, resulting in a detailed image. This method allowed for mass production, making photography more accessible. What strikes me is how these images have been taken using an industrial technique, yet show buildings that are not necessarily industrial. The photographs depict serene landscapes and villas, inviting viewers to a world of leisure and privilege. At the time, this would have been an advertisement, and the means of production enabled this vision of Arcachon to circulate among potential visitors. Considering the photograph's creation, it makes us appreciate how images such as this are made possible by the labor, technology, and consumption inherent to capitalism. Ultimately, reflecting on the making of these objects deepens our understanding of their cultural and social significance.