Paviljoen van de stad Parijs aan de Seine, tijdens de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1900, Parijs 1900

This albumen print by Neurdein Frères shows the Pavillion of the City of Paris on the Seine, during the World Exhibition of 1900. The photograph captures a moment of civic pride and optimism in France. The World Exhibition was a celebration of technological progress, industrial development and colonial power. The Pavillion itself, with its grand, imposing facade, embodies the spirit of the French Belle Époque. The boats on the river, teeming with people, suggest a society on the move, embracing modernity. It's important to remember that this image is not neutral. It was made in a time of vast social inequality, when the benefits of progress were not shared by all. By researching the institutional and social history of photography in France at the time, we can better understand the complexities of this seemingly straightforward image. We can ask, who was invited to the party, and who was left out? What were the politics of representing Paris as a modern, powerful city?