Quai de Bourgogne in Bordeaux c. 1880 - 1900

Étienne Neurdein captured this view of Quai de Bourgogne in Bordeaux using photographic processes which were new at the time. Rather than traditional art materials like paint, he employed light-sensitive chemicals on a glass plate negative, a technique demanding precision and skill. Photography in this era was far from automated; each print required meticulous work in the darkroom, a labor-intensive process. Neurdein's choice of photography as a medium reflects the shift towards capturing everyday life and the burgeoning industrial age. The tonal range, from the cobblestone streets to the sky, is a direct result of the materials and techniques used. The clarity and detail offer a window into the social context of Bordeaux, with its busy quayside showing commerce and transport in the city. Photography was a way of documenting the world, and also an increasingly accessible way of making images, moving away from painting and other unique works. By considering the materials and production methods, we recognize photography as a powerful tool that captured and shaped our understanding of an era undergoing rapid transformation.