Untitled c. 1850

This albumen print was made by Charles Marville in France, though we don't have an exact date for it. It shows a tranquil lake scene, typical of the kind of picturesque view that became increasingly popular throughout the 19th century. But, there are social and political forces at play here. Under Napoleon III, Paris was undergoing massive urban renewal. Middle-class Parisians sought respite in newly-created parks and gardens. Marville, known for documenting the transformation of Paris, here captures a constructed vision of nature. Consider how the image creates meaning. The careful composition, the formal arrangement of trees, and the still water all contribute to a sense of order and control, reflecting the values of the society that commissioned and consumed such images. To fully understand this photograph, we might research the history of Parisian urban planning and photographic practices of the time. This reminds us that art's meaning is always tied to its social and institutional context.