Exterieur van het stadhuis van Compiègne met een bas-reliëf van Lodewijk XII c. 1880 - 1900

Editor: This collotype print, "Exterieur van het stadhuis van Compiègne met een bas-reliëf van Lodewijk XII" by Médéric Mieusement, probably created between 1880 and 1900, presents this building in very fine detail. It gives it an imposing appearance! How does this image speak to you? Curator: The imposing nature is intentional, a reflection of the late 19th-century interest in civic pride and the legitimization of power through architecture. Mieusement’s photograph highlights the Compiègne city hall as not just a building, but as a stage for representing historical authority. Note how the bas-relief of Louis XII is prominently featured. Why do you think that is? Editor: Perhaps to link the town hall to a prestigious figure from the past? Curator: Precisely. Think about the socio-political context: this photograph was produced in an era of intense national identity formation and political maneuvering in France. Public imagery, like photographs and architectural details, became a battleground for defining national history and civic values. How might this photograph have been used to promote a specific image of Compiègne? Editor: Well, showcasing its rich historical connection with royalty could attract tourism and boost the city’s status, right? Curator: Exactly. And further, by disseminating this image widely through print, the town actively participated in shaping its public perception. This print makes a grand statement about civic identity at the turn of the century. Editor: I hadn't considered how actively the city would be branding itself, even back then. Thanks, I have a much better understanding now. Curator: And I was made to remember how photography has always served the purposes of those who disseminate it. Thank you.