Parc de Courances 1860 - 1870

Eugène Cuvelier captured Parc de Courances using a calotype, a now obsolete photographic process, sometime in the mid-19th century. This was a period defined by rapid industrialization and urbanization, and in France, by political upheaval and social change. Cuvelier’s choice of subject matter invites us to consider the relationship between nature and culture during this transformative era. The photograph depicts a tranquil scene of a river flowing through a densely wooded area. The image evokes a sense of peace and contemplation, offering a respite from the fast-paced changes of modern life. Yet, the park itself is a product of human design, a constructed space intended for leisure and recreation. In whose image was this leisure made? Consider the class dynamics at play, as only the wealthy had the privilege to enjoy such spaces. This photograph subtly acknowledges the complex interplay between the natural world and the social forces that shape our experience of it.