Versailles, Bosquet de l'Arc de Triomphe 1901

Eugène Atget made this photograph of the Bosquet de l'Arc de Triomphe at Versailles in the late 19th or early 20th century. Atget documented the architecture and gardens of Versailles at a time when the palace was no longer the primary seat of power in France, but was instead a museum and historical monument. The statue itself, depicting France triumphant over its enemies, is a potent symbol of the country's monarchical past. France sits atop defeated nations. Atget's photograph suggests an ambivalence towards this imagery. Is he celebrating the history of France, or documenting its decline? To understand Atget's intentions fully, we need to consider the social and political context in which the photograph was made. What was Atget's relationship to the institutions of art and power? Accessing archives, letters, and publications from that time helps us reflect on the meaning of art and the ways it shapes our understanding of history.