Aanzicht van het Brunswick mausoleum in Genève 1879 - 1900

This is Garcin’s photograph of the Brunswick Mausoleum in Geneva. It captures the monument in striking detail but also gives us a glimpse into the social dynamics of the time. Completed in 1879, the mausoleum was built to honor Charles II, Duke of Brunswick, a controversial figure known for his wealth and eccentricities. The monument itself, a neo-Gothic structure, evokes medieval power and grandeur. The lion sculpture and equestrian statue on top represent the Duke’s authority and status. But, the photograph also reveals a crowd of onlookers, likely locals, observing the mausoleum. This interaction between the monument and the public raises questions about the social role of art. Was the mausoleum a symbol of civic pride, or did it represent the vast inequalities of wealth in Geneva? By exploring archival materials and historical accounts, we can uncover the complex social and political forces that shaped both the mausoleum and its reception by the public. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum; it's always intertwined with the society that creates and interprets it.