Pont de la Mulatiere 1860 - 1862

This is Édouard Baldus’s photograph, Pont de la Mulatiere, housed here at the Met. The sepia tones of the albumen print lend a classical, almost timeless quality to the industrial subject matter. The bridge’s strong horizontal line is anchored by its reflection in the calm water, creating a symmetrical composition. Baldus manipulates perspective to give the bridge a sense of monumentality. The low vantage point, combined with the bridge’s solid form, lends a sense of stability and permanence. This aesthetic echoes the 19th-century positivist ethos, which saw technology and infrastructure as signs of progress. Yet, the photograph's true fascination lies in its subtle contrasts: the man-made structure against the natural landscape, the solid stone against the fluid water, and the sharp details against the soft, blurred background. It offers a structured view of modernity, inviting contemplation on the interplay between human progress and the enduring presence of nature.