Praalgraf van Napoleon Bonaparte in Hôtel des Invalides, Parijs 1855 - 1864

This stereoscopic image shows Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb in the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris. Made in France, the photograph captures the monumental tomb decades after its completion in 1861, immortalizing Napoleon as a hero to the French state. The tomb itself communicates power, made from red porphyry and resting on a green granite base. It visually associates Napoleon with past emperors, emulating the forms of ancient Roman sarcophagi. The stereoscopic format was a popular form of entertainment at the time, allowing viewers to have a simulated three-dimensional experience of this powerful and impressive monument. The Hôtel des Invalides was established by Louis XIV, the Sun King, in 1670 as a hospital and place of worship for war veterans. Napoleon's tomb is therefore situated within a larger history of French militarism. By studying photographs like this in the context of French history, we can better understand how photography has been used to shape and communicate the legacy of key figures in European history.