Porte Saint-Martin in Parijs met rechts de Boulevard Saint-Martin c. 1880 - 1900

This photograph of the Porte Saint-Martin in Paris was created using a process of chemical development on paper, a relatively recent technology at the time. This was a period of rapid industrialization, and the proliferation of photography as a means of documentation and artistic expression reflects that. Consider the material reality of this image, the paper and the chemicals required to produce it. The photograph captures a street scene in Paris, with the Porte Saint-Martin serving as a backdrop for everyday life, and records the architecture that celebrated the glory of the French monarchy. The photograph, like the monument, speaks to the complex relationship between labor, politics, and consumption. While the Porte Saint-Martin celebrates military victories, the photograph captures a moment in time, reminding us that even the grandest monuments are ultimately products of human labor.