Eiffel Tower, Paris 1929

André Kertész made this black and white photograph, titled ‘Eiffel Tower, Paris’, at an unknown date, showing a view from within the tower itself. What’s striking here is the way that Kertész uses the tower's structure as a framing device, casting geometric shadows on the people below. It invites us to consider the social impact of this iconic structure, completed in 1889. The Eiffel Tower was initially met with criticism for its modern, industrial aesthetic, but it quickly became a symbol of Paris and France. Kertész, a Hungarian immigrant, came to Paris in the 1920s. We can think about his outsider perspective and his interest in capturing everyday life. This photograph prompts questions about the relationship between art, technology, and society during the interwar period. To understand Kertész's intentions fully, scholars consult photographic journals, personal letters, and exhibition reviews from the period. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.