Arc de Triomphe op de Place de l’Étoile in Parijs c. 1880 - 1890

This vintage photograph captures the Arc de Triomphe, standing proudly on the Place de l’Étoile in Paris. Constructed in the early 19th century, the Arc was commissioned by Napoleon to honor those who fought for France, but it soon became a symbol of national identity. Beyond its aesthetic and architectural achievements, the Arc embodies France's intricate history of war, victory, and national pride. Adorned with sculptures representing key moments of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, the Arc became a site for national celebrations and military parades, reinforcing the nation's collective memory and identity. Yet, the Arc also embodies the complexities of nationhood. Who is included in the narrative of triumph? Whose sacrifices are recognized, and whose are forgotten? The Arc de Triomphe serves not only as a monument to the past but also as a focal point for contemporary reflections on identity, power, and collective memory. It prompts us to reflect on what it means to belong and to remember.