Gezicht op een monument op vermoedelijk Place Masséna te Nice c. 1872 - 1874

Editor: This albumen print, "Gezicht op een monument op vermoedelijk Place Masséna te Nice" by Eugène Degand, circa 1872-1874, presents a rather picturesque scene, a snapshot of what seems like daily life unfolding around a grandiose monument. What’s particularly striking is the presence of people almost nonchalantly coexisting with this symbol of authority or civic pride. How do you interpret the relationship between the monument and its surroundings in the context of 19th-century Nice? Curator: That’s an insightful observation. From a historical perspective, this image reveals a lot about the construction of civic identity and public space during a period of significant socio-political transformation. Nice had recently become part of France. This monument, likely commemorating a figure of authority, serves as a tool for projecting French power. The ordinary people are living their lives alongside the French rule. It normalizes French rule within daily experiences. How do you think the inclusion of these figures impacts the photograph's message? Editor: That makes sense. I guess it almost softens the image of power – instead of a symbol of dominance looming over everything, the monument becomes integrated, accessible even, part of the everyday fabric of the city. The public is occupying a French civic space, possibly appropriating or subverting the intent? Curator: Exactly. Street photography at this time became a form of visual journalism, documenting a changing social reality. Photography played a vital role in shaping and disseminating perceptions of urban life and national identity. We might consider who Degand was as well and whose gaze is centered in the shot. Editor: So it’s not just a pretty picture; it's a carefully constructed narrative, subtly reinforcing specific ideas about power and belonging! Curator: Precisely. The interplay between the monumental and the mundane offers valuable insights into the public role of art, and the political work that photographs accomplish through their visual rhetoric. Editor: Wow, I will look at these old photographs in a completely new light now, especially considering who they aim to address. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure, there's always more than meets the eye.