Place de l'Étoile in Parijs met de Arc de Triomphe c. 1880 - 1900

This photograph captures the Place de l'Étoile in Paris with the Arc de Triomphe, taken by an unknown photographer. The Arc de Triomphe, a monument commissioned by Napoleon, stands as a symbol of French military victories and national pride. As we gaze upon this image, consider who is celebrated in such grand monuments and who is often left out of the narrative. Who were the unsung laborers who built these structures? And how do such symbols resonate with those from colonized nations, reflecting on the complexities of history and power? The photograph invites us to reflect on the intersection of national identity, collective memory, and the stories that monuments like the Arc de Triomphe tell—and often leave unsaid. It encourages a deeper understanding of how societal structures are formed and whose perspectives are prioritized.