Sculptuur van Saint Trophime 1850 - 1900

Adolphe Giraudon made this photograph of the Sculptuur van Saint Trophime, sometime between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. Giraudon lived through a time of immense social change, and his work reflects the shifting attitudes towards history and cultural preservation. This image captures a sculpture of Saint Trophime, an early Christian figure, encased in a decorative stone frame. What I find striking is how Giraudon frames the sculpture. The choice to capture a religious icon through the modern lens of photography raises questions about faith, representation, and the changing role of religion in society. The photograph exists as both a historical document and a work of art, and invites us to reflect on the narratives we construct around our history. It bridges the gap between the past and the present, urging us to consider the stories we tell about ourselves.