Standbeeld van Nantes op het Place de la Concorde, Parijs 1864 - 1880

Charles Dauvois captured this stereoscopic image of the Nantes statue in Place de la Concorde, Paris, using photographic processes. Photography, like other reproductive technologies, was transforming artistic expression. This image, mass-produced, offers a window into how monuments and public spaces were experienced. Note the meticulous construction of the statue itself. Stone carving requires highly skilled labor. Each line and curve is a testament to human effort, a dialogue between the artist and the material. Consider the social implications; photography democratized art, making it accessible beyond elite circles. The photographic process also challenges notions of authorship, raising questions about who truly creates an image: the photographer, the subject, or the technology itself? By considering the materials, processes, and broader context, we gain a deeper appreciation for this image.