Exterieur van de Villa Eugénie te Arcachon 1862 - 1876

Editor: This collotype photograph, "Exterieur van de Villa Eugénie te Arcachon," by Jean Andrieu, likely taken sometime between 1862 and 1876, depicts what I imagine was a beautiful villa. It has such a melancholy feeling, partly due to the sepia tones, I guess. What do you see when you look at this? Curator: Melancholy, you say? Interesting. I feel something like peacefulness, even a sense of nostalgia. Look how the collotype medium renders the details—the intricate woodwork of the villa’s eaves, the way the light catches the fence. It’s like peering into a bygone era, isn't it? The three-dimensionality provided by the stereo view makes the villa almost tangible, beckoning us closer. Editor: A stereo view... that's the reason I feel like I can almost touch it. The symmetry of the composition, having basically the same scene twice. Curator: Exactly! Think about the time. Photography was becoming more accessible. This image is not just a record of a building, but a portal. This villa represents the aspirations of a burgeoning bourgeoisie, their embrace of leisure and seaside living. Do you imagine what life would be like here, by the sea? Editor: That is beautiful, and a real sea change from just seeing it as some sad, old picture. Thank you! Curator: And thank you for offering a new perspective. It's fascinating how our individual experiences shape our perception of art. Let's continue this journey together.