Exterieur van de Beurs van Bordeaux 1862 - 1876

Editor: Here we have Jean Andrieu’s albumen print, "Exterieur van de Beurs van Bordeaux," created sometime between 1862 and 1876. The photo's architectural focus, with the stark light emphasizing the building’s structure, makes me think about power and permanence. What's your take? Curator: Well, power certainly plays a role. Consider Bordeaux's history; it was a critical port in the slave trade. The Bourse, the stock exchange, stands as a symbol of that economic system. How do we reconcile the photograph's aesthetic appeal with the building's connections to exploitation and oppression? Editor: So, it's not just a cityscape; it's a loaded landscape? A beautiful façade masking a complex, troubling history. Curator: Exactly. Think about the technology too: early photography's role in documenting and sometimes glorifying imperial power. It's not just about what's *in* the image but the power dynamics *behind* its creation and consumption. Does this alter how you view the photograph now? Editor: Absolutely. I was initially drawn to the composition, the play of light, and the geometric shapes. Now, I see the image as a document entangled in social injustice. I’m struck by the silence in the image – it makes me want to research the names of enslaved peoples that were impacted. Curator: That’s the point. By exploring this tension – this visual and historical disconnect – the photograph compels us to question the narratives embedded within architectural spaces and artistic representation. It transforms from a mere pretty picture into a site of critical inquiry and action. Editor: Thanks. I definitely have a lot to think about! I'll never look at historical architecture the same way. Curator: Nor should you.