Arc de Triomphe te Parijs 1870 - 1900

Étienne Neurdein made this photograph of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris at a time when photography was still a relatively new medium, and the monument itself was a symbol of French national pride. The Arc de Triomphe, conceived by Napoleon I in 1806, was intended to celebrate the victories of the French army. This photograph captures the imposing scale and neoclassical style, echoing ancient Roman triumphal arches, a popular vocabulary for asserting power in Europe. Neurdein’s photograph also demonstrates a mastery of capturing architectural detail, a key element in photography’s rise as a tool for documentation and propaganda. Considering the instability of the French government in the 19th century, photographs like this helped solidify the image of Paris as a city of grand boulevards, and enduring monuments, and, therefore, as the heart of French civilization. To fully understand the image's significance, we can consult archives, newspapers, and official records. This way, we appreciate its cultural weight and complex relationship to French identity.