Pont au Change before 1840

Frédéric Sorrieu made this print of the Pont au Change in Paris sometime in the mid-19th century. It's a rather straightforward depiction of a well-known landmark, but even such seemingly neutral images can reveal much about the society that produced them. Consider the political and social context of France at this time, a period of revolution and upheaval. Sorrieu's choice to depict a bridge, a symbol of connection and passage, may reflect a desire for stability amidst the chaos. The Pont au Change itself, with its history as a site of commerce and exchange, speaks to the economic forces at play in Parisian life. The towers are a subtle reminder of the medieval history of the city and the role of institutions such as church and state. To fully understand this print, we might turn to archival sources such as newspapers, political pamphlets, and economic data from the time. Only then can we appreciate how Sorrieu's image engages with the complex social and political currents of 19th-century Paris.