Boulevard des Italiens in Parijs met voorbijgangers, paardenkoetsen en een paardentram c. 1880 - 1900

An anonymous photographer captured this image of the Boulevard des Italiens in Paris. The image offers a glimpse into a transformative period of urbanization and social change. The boulevard, lined with grand buildings and bustling with activity, embodies the aspirations of a rapidly modernizing city. Yet, the photograph also captures the stark class divisions of the time. Horse-drawn carriages and a horse tram suggest a society reliant on animal labor, while also being increasingly fascinated with new technologies. What strikes me most is the anonymity of the figures populating the scene. These blurred figures, caught in transit, reflect the alienation and anonymity that often accompany urban life. The photograph serves as a visual record of a society in transition, grappling with the promises and perils of modernity.