Verdedigingswallen bij Hôtel des Invalides, Parijs 1863 - 1875

Charles Dauvois made this stereo card titled 'Verdedigingswallen bij Hôtel des Invalides, Parijs'. The card features a double image of a stone wall lined with cannons in front of the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris. This photograph invites us to reflect on the legacy of military power and its impact on both the physical and social landscapes of Paris. The Hôtel des Invalides, originally a home for veterans, stands as a symbol of military achievement, while these cannons remind us of France's historical investment in warfare and defense. How does this imagery speak to the construction of national identity through military strength? Consider the complex interplay of pride and trauma, victory and loss, and whose stories are elevated in this narrative of defense.