View taken from the Californie before 1886

Curator: We're looking at an albumen print from before 1886 by Albert Courret, titled "View taken from the Californie." What are your initial thoughts? Editor: It's a cityscape of Cannes, very soft and hazy. It feels almost dreamlike, and definitely old-fashioned. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a document of power and privilege. Courret's choice of "La Californie" as the viewpoint isn't accidental. In the late 19th century, that area became a playground for European elites, building lavish villas, exploiting resources. This idyllic scene masks the socio-economic realities of the time. Do you see any evidence of that tension in the image itself? Editor: Hmm, I see the dense cluster of buildings. Maybe that implies a certain degree of concentrated development, but it's hard to tell from this distance. Is there anything in the photographic technique that tells that story, perhaps? Curator: Absolutely. The albumen print process, while beautiful, was costly and time-consuming, making photography itself an elite pursuit. And consider what's missing—where are the people? Where is the labor that sustained this growth? The silence speaks volumes. What does this reading make you think about our present moment and art? Editor: It makes me think about the importance of looking beyond the surface, of understanding the context in which art is created, to reveal hidden histories and inequalities. The technology and techniques used have intrinsic bias. Curator: Precisely! By acknowledging this context, we become more responsible viewers and creators. Editor: I'll never look at a pretty cityscape the same way again! Curator: That's the point! Let's keep digging!