Gezicht op het interieur van het Palais de l'Industrie met plattegrond 1854

This anonymous print depicts the interior of the Palais de l'Industrie in Paris, accompanied by its floor plan. Built for the Exposition Universelle of 1855, this vast iron and glass structure was intended as a monument to industrial progress. The image highlights the scale of the building, emphasizing its function as a public showcase for technological innovation and manufactured goods. In its time, the building was seen as a bold symbol of France's economic and imperial ambition. As an art historian, I’d consider the building's role in shaping public perceptions of industry and technology. Researching archival documents, exhibition catalogs, and contemporary accounts could reveal how the Palais de l'Industrie served as a site for constructing national identity and promoting consumer culture. This print invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between art, industry, and society in nineteenth-century France.