Versailles, Vase 1903 - 1904

Eugène Atget made this albumen silver print of a vase in Versailles. The image presents us with the conundrum of a photograph of a sculpture. Atget was working in France at the turn of the 20th century, documenting architecture and decorative arts of the country. The Palace of Versailles, with its manicured gardens, and the artistic commissions it contains, represents the aspirations of the French aristocracy. But Versailles was then open to the public as a historic site, no longer a private residence. The photograph is an artifact of the relatively new institution of the museum and the democratizing role of photography. It's no longer enough for the elite to own the art; everyone must have access to it. We can research the history of Versailles as a museum, the development of photography as a popular medium, and Atget's own artistic practice. Only then can we understand this image as a product of its time.