Gezicht over de Seine te Parijs 1860 - 1880

Albert Mansuy captured this view of the Seine in Paris with a camera, creating an image where architectural forms and the river converge in a play of light and shadow. The composition is structured by a series of bridges that lead the eye into the depths of the Parisian skyline. Mansuy manipulates perspective to flatten the space, almost as if compressing the city's grandeur. The repetition of the arches creates a visual rhythm, while the varying heights of the buildings add a layer of complexity, destabilizing the traditional landscape view. The muted sepia tones evoke a sense of nostalgia, yet the sharp details remind us of the industrial advancements of the time. Mansuy's photograph is not merely a depiction of Paris; it is a study of form and structure that challenges the perception of urban space. It invites us to consider the evolving relationship between the city and its inhabitants.