The Floods of 1856, Avignon 1856

Edouard Baldus's "The Floods of 1856, Avignon" is a poignant photo documenting the devastating floods that struck the French city in 1856. Taken from a high vantage point, the photograph captures the vastness of the floodwaters, emphasizing the scale of the disaster. The cityscape of Avignon, with its iconic fortress, is partially submerged, providing a stark contrast between the natural force and human civilization. Baldus, a pioneer of landscape photography, utilized the medium to document the realities of his time, highlighting the destructive power of nature and its impact on human life. The photograph is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, offering a window into the history of France and the early days of photographic documentation.