Gezicht op het basement van de Eiffeltoren ten tijde van de Exposition Universelle van 1889 1889

Neurdein Frères created this photograph, titled 'View of the base of the Eiffel Tower at the time of the Exposition Universelle of 1889,' as a visual record of a pivotal moment in Parisian history. The Eiffel Tower, constructed for the Exposition Universelle, was a symbol of modernity and technological advancement, yet its construction was met with resistance from artists and intellectuals who felt it clashed with Paris's architectural character. In this image, we see the tower's base bustling with visitors, a snapshot of Parisian society engaging with this new monument. The presence of the Exposition Universelle is important here. These universal exhibitions were a celebration of industry, but also of colonialism. France presented itself as a modern, industrial, imperial power. By examining photographs like this alongside archival documents and press coverage, we can gain insight into the social, cultural, and institutional context surrounding the tower's construction and its reception by the public and the art world alike.