Optocht met ruiters en koetsen bij het bezoek van tsaar Nicolaas II van Rusland aan Parijs Possibly 1896

This photograph, by Delizy, captures the procession with riders and carriages during Tsar Nicholas II of Russia's visit to Paris. The image encapsulates a moment of political theater, staged for the public eye. It’s important to remember the picture was likely taken sometime between 1896, the year of Nicholas' coronation, and 1914, the start of WWI. During that period, France was governed by the Third Republic and was eager to strengthen its alliance with Russia. The photograph creates meaning through the visual codes of power: military escorts, ornate carriages, and enthusiastic crowds. The architecture looms in the background as a reminder of France's imperial history. Was this display of pomp and circumstance an attempt to reinforce existing social hierarchies, or to project an image of strength and unity to the world? To truly understand this image, we can turn to archival sources like newspapers, political pamphlets, and diplomatic correspondence to uncover the social and institutional contexts that gave it meaning. Through this approach, the photograph becomes a window into the complex interplay of power, politics, and visual culture.