Panthéon 1860s

Edouard Baldus made this photograph of the Panthéon in Paris sometime in the mid-19th century. Looking at it, we might consider the shifting public role of monuments in France at that time. The Panthéon itself was originally built as a church, but during the French Revolution, it was repurposed as a secular temple to honor important French figures. By the time Baldus made this photograph, the building had already been through several transformations, reflecting France's changing political landscape. The photograph creates meaning through its depiction of a grand, imposing structure, hinting at the power and authority of the state. The presence of people and horse-drawn carriages in the foreground remind us that this monument exists within a bustling urban environment. Historians consult archives, newspapers, and other period documents to better understand the social and institutional context surrounding artworks like this one, revealing the complex interplay between art, power, and society.