Vienne, St. Colombe 1860 - 1862

Editor: This is Edouard Baldus's "Vienne, St. Colombe," taken between 1860 and 1862. It’s a photograph, and what strikes me is the way it captures this seemingly mundane urban landscape, almost like a documentary approach. How would you interpret this work? Curator: Look at the surface. Notice the rich, warm tones achieved through the photographic processes of the time. Baldus was deeply engaged with the materiality of photography itself. But it's not just about aesthetics. He was commissioned to document infrastructure projects during a period of intense modernization. Editor: So, you’re saying the choice of subject matter reflects a specific agenda? Curator: Absolutely. Think about the social context: France was undergoing massive transformations. The railway development and construction created job opportunities, and changed lives. Baldus isn't simply recording a scene; he's participating in constructing a narrative of progress and national identity through depicting the material changes that allowed such transformation. The materials photographed, and the photographic materials themselves speak to the social and economic shifts of the period. Editor: I see! It's interesting how you point out the relationship between materials represented and materials used for representing, Baldus’ choice to focus on infrastructure really points to how it changed how French citizens related to their nation. Thanks for explaining this work through a different lens! Curator: My pleasure. Reflecting on the way labour and production come into play in photographic works is something I like to share.