Pendule in de stijl van Lodewijk XV, opgesteld tijdens de Exposition Rétrospective van 1873 in Tours, Frankrijk 1873

Gabriel Blaise made this photograph of a clock in the style of Louis XV during the retrospective exhibition in Tours, France in 1873. The clock represents more than just time; it's a symbol of power, taste, and luxury, harking back to the opulence of the French monarchy. Blaise, as a photographer in the 19th century, captured more than just images; he documented a rapidly changing society, one grappling with its relationship to the past. The choice to photograph a clock in the style of Louis XV speaks volumes. After the Revolution, there was an urge to cling to and remember what once was. It's a reminder of the complex ways in which we negotiate our identities. How do we honor the past while embracing the future? Ultimately, this photograph is a conversation starter about power, privilege, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are.