Gezicht op een kuuroord in Lavey-les-Bains c. 1875 - 1885

Garcin made this photograph of a spa resort in Lavey-les-Bains using a photographic process. The image captures a moment of leisure and health tourism, reflecting broader social trends in 19th-century Europe. The visual composition emphasizes the architecture of the spa against the backdrop of a mountain. This juxtaposition highlights the intersection of nature and built environment. Situated in Switzerland, the resort caters to a clientele seeking therapeutic benefits from its natural springs. The spa culture in this era was closely linked to notions of wellness, class, and social status. It became a space where the elite could rejuvenate but also display their social standing. To fully understand this photograph, historians delve into archives, travelogues, and medical journals to reconstruct the social and institutional contexts of the spa. Analyzing spa architecture, promotional materials, and visitor accounts can reveal the values and practices that shaped this particular destination. As this photograph shows, art is deeply embedded in social and institutional history.