The field of maneuvers in Châlons-sur-Marne 1857
gustavelegray
stadelmuseum
cardboard, albumen-print, paper
cardboard
albumen-print
natural shape and form
16_19th-century
photo restoration
natural tone
landscape
charcoal drawing
paper
charcoal art
low atmospheric-weather contrast
france
watercolour illustration
natural palette
watercolor
building
shadow overcast
"The Field of Maneuvers in Châlons-sur-Marne" (1857) by Gustave Le Gray, captures a panoramic view of a vast military encampment near Châlons-sur-Marne in France. This iconic photograph, now housed in the Städel Museum, showcases Le Gray's mastery of the calotype process. The image depicts a vast expanse of land, dotted with rows of tents, creating a sense of scale and emphasizing the logistical challenges of a large military operation. Le Gray's work was pivotal in establishing photography's place in art and documenting the changing world.
Comments
Gustave Le Gray belonged to the circle of photographers, regularly commissioned by Napoleon III to document his prestige projects. Public manoeuvres and displays at the newly built military base at Châlons-sur-Marne northeast of Paris served the military self-representation of the Second Empire. For his panorama of the great exercise field, Le Gray required six individual shots, which he then carefully cut and assembled to achieve the impression of seamless continuity. His selection of detail with the central horizon line further emphasizes the ample space of the terrain.
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