Gezicht op de Champ-de-Mars 1889 - 1929

This is an anonymous print of the central dome of the Palais du Champ de Mars, created for the Exposition Universelle of 1889. It’s a bird’s eye view of the dome that dominated the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. As the World’s Fair showcased industrial progress and cultural exchange, this print captures the optimism of the late 19th century. The fair served as a stage for nations to present themselves, but also highlighted the era’s colonial power dynamics. The statue atop the dome embodies a romantic, gendered vision of progress. In the foreground, the classical statues and manicured gardens evoke a sense of order. However, this carefully constructed image obscures the labor and resources required to build and maintain such a spectacle. The print invites us to consider not just the architectural achievement, but also the social and political realities of the time. It’s a reminder that progress often comes at a cost, and that the stories we tell about ourselves are never complete.