Graf van Napoleon in de Dôme des Invalides te Parijs c. 1865 - 1875

Editor: This is a photograph, a gelatin silver print, taken sometime between 1865 and 1875 by Compagnie Photographique Debitte & Hervé. It depicts Napoleon’s tomb in the Dôme des Invalides in Paris. The aged, muted tones lend it a sort of melancholic grandeur. What stands out to you when you look at this? Curator: Immediately, I'm struck by the materiality – both of the tomb itself and of the photograph. The tomb, undoubtedly made of costly marble or stone, speaks of empire and power. And this gelatin silver print is itself a carefully produced object. Consider the labour involved, the access to resources, the deliberate choices in terms of framing and exposure. It begs the question, how did photography as a medium function within and reinforce 19th-century social structures? Editor: So, you’re seeing it as a record of material wealth and production… Almost like an advertisement? Curator: Not just an advertisement, but a statement. The photograph not only documents the opulence of Napoleon’s final resting place but also announces the photographic studio's ability to capture and disseminate such images. It's about asserting status on multiple levels, from the emperor buried within the tomb to the photographic company that captured his image. Were these readily available, or a luxury item? Editor: I hadn’t considered the photograph itself as a commodity! Curator: Think about the networks required to produce and distribute this image. It speaks volumes about the social and economic power dynamics at play. The materials are not just stone and silver; they’re currency, labour, and a reflection of the Imperial project itself. Editor: That really shifts my perspective! I was so focused on the subject of the photograph that I hadn't really thought about its making and consumption. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: My pleasure. It's vital to remember the hands, the resources, the systems of power that bring any artwork into existence. Only then can we begin to fully grasp its meaning and its place in history.