Gezicht op de Boulevard Montmartre, Parijs 1887 - 1900

This photograph shows the Boulevard Montmartre in Paris, captured with an early camera by an anonymous photographer. The boulevard, teeming with horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians, represents a modern vision of urban life. The image speaks to the profound changes that Paris underwent in the mid-19th century, the so-called Haussmannization. The construction of wide boulevards like this one was not just about aesthetics or easing traffic. These urban reforms had social and political implications. Wide streets were more easily controlled by the military, reducing the likelihood of barricades in times of civil unrest. The rebuilt city also facilitated commerce and reinforced social hierarchies. The photograph itself, made possible by technological advances, became a tool for documenting and celebrating these changes. By studying city archives, planning documents, and contemporary accounts, we can better understand the complex forces that shaped this iconic Parisian view. The meaning of this artwork is not just what we see, but what we learn of the institutions of its time.