Gezicht op de Colonne de Juillet op Place de la Bastille in Parijs, Frankrijk 1860 - 1870

This is a stereoscopic image of the Colonne de Juillet in the Place de la Bastille, Paris, made by Ferrier Père-Fils et Soulier. The column commemorates the July Revolution of 1830, which saw the overthrow of Charles X. But by the time this photograph was taken, its meaning had shifted. The column was now as much a symbol of the social and political conditions of its own time as it was a monument to a past event. The geography of the Place de la Bastille made it an ideal location for political rallies, demonstrations, and other forms of public assembly. This image suggests the role of public space in the making of collective identity. To understand the significance of this image, we might consult archives of newspapers, police records, and other documents to learn more about the social and political life of Paris during the period. The historian seeks to understand art as a reflection of its social and institutional context.