Portret van Alphonse-Louis Poitevin before 1882

This is a photographic reproduction, made by an anonymous photographer, of Alphonse-Louis Poitevin. The book in which this photograph appears reflects a fascinating moment in the cultural history of photography, specifically in France. Photography was becoming increasingly democratized and incorporated into various industries. The photograph highlights the institutionalization of photography and its acceptance into the broader cultural landscape. It is a study of the social conditions that shaped the production and reception of photography. We see here how photography, once a novel technology, was rapidly integrated into the artistic and industrial fabric of French society. To fully understand the significance of this image, the historian must consider the economic structures, political movements, and social classes that defined this era in France. This would include delving into resources such as period newspapers, institutional archives, and scholarly analyses of French society during the rise of photography.