Untitled 1898

Eugène Atget made this albumen silver print, titled “Untitled,” in France, sometime around the turn of the 20th century. Atget made thousands of photographs of Paris, documenting its architecture and street life, and this image depicts a small storefront with a striped awning and various goods on display. Atget's work provides a window into the social and economic fabric of early 20th-century Paris. As the city modernized, traditional ways of life were disappearing, and Atget captured these scenes as a form of historical preservation. He sold his photographs to archives and libraries, recognizing their value as documents of a changing urban landscape. In looking at this image, we might consider the economic conditions that allowed small businesses like this to thrive, as well as the social structures that shaped the daily lives of Parisians. To fully understand Atget's work, we can turn to archives, historical societies, and other institutions that collect and preserve visual and documentary materials. By studying these resources, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of Parisian society and the role of photography in capturing its fleeting moments.