The Port and City of Sète-Mediterranean (Port et Ville de Sète-Mediterranée) 1857

Gustave Le Gray's "The Port and City of Sète-Mediterranean (Port et Ville de Sète-Mediterranée)" (1857) is a striking example of 19th-century photographic art. The calotype image, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, captures the bustling port city of Sète, France. With its sharp detail and stark contrast, the photograph highlights the towering masts of ships, the stone walls of the harbor, and the cityscape climbing the hillside in the background. The image showcases Le Gray's mastery of the calotype process, a technique that was revolutionary for its ability to capture detail and depth. This photograph is a testament to the photographer's commitment to capturing the grandeur of the natural and built worlds.