Avignon, Palais des Papes 1859 - 1861

Edouard Baldus made this photograph of the Palais des Papes in Avignon using a process called ‘calotype’ sometime in the 19th century. The Palais des Papes, or Palace of the Popes, was the seat of the Catholic Popes in the 14th century. Baldus’ image shows the palace in a dilapidated state, reflecting the anti-clerical sentiment in France at the time. In the 1850s, the French government commissioned photographers like Baldus to document historic monuments, in part to celebrate France’s rich cultural heritage. However, these projects also served a political function. By emphasizing the grandeur of the past, the government sought to legitimize its own power and promote national unity. Baldus' image thus operates on multiple levels. It’s an architectural document, a work of art, and a reflection of the complex relationship between photography, power, and national identity in 19th-century France. Further understanding of this moment depends on historical research using photography archives and institutional records.