Égouts De Paris 1861

"Égouts De Paris" (1861) by Félix Nadar is a striking example of early photographic documentation. Nadar, a renowned photographer and balloonist, captured the stark reality of the Parisian sewer system, highlighting the hidden infrastructure of a bustling city. The image features a close-up of a sewer pipe, its dark silhouette starkly contrasted against the rough brickwork. This stark composition, typical of Nadar's work, invites viewers to contemplate the unseen world beneath the surface of everyday life. The photograph is a testament to the power of photography to reveal the hidden complexities of urban environments, contributing to the development of photojournalism and the documentation of everyday life.