Voorgevel van de Cathédrale Saint-Trophime te Arles before 1875

This photograph of the facade of the Cathédrale Saint-Trophime in Arles was created by Édouard Baldus, though we don't have a specific date for its creation. Baldus was part of a generation of photographers who saw themselves as documentarians, recording the architectural and cultural treasures of France. What strikes me about this image is how it presents the cathedral not just as a building, but as a symbol of cultural identity and historical continuity. During the mid-19th century, France was grappling with its identity in the wake of revolution and empire. Architectural monuments like Saint-Trophime were seen as embodiments of French heritage, a way to connect with a glorious past. This photograph invites us to consider the power of architecture to shape our understanding of history. The meticulous detail Baldus captured speaks to a desire to preserve and celebrate French culture in a time of great social and political change. The way the light plays across the stone, the intricate carvings, all invite us to reflect on how we construct our identities through the places we inhabit.