Charles Marville

The story

Marville first worked in illustration before devoting a substantial part of his practice to photography. He documented the old streets of Paris, its urban developments and the street furniture of a changing city. These views are now valuable archives, but they also arose from commissions and framing decisions. His work offers a way of reading urban modernisation through what it preserves, transforms or erases.

Understanding the work

Observe perspectives, shop signs and traces of activity. An apparently empty street may result from a long exposure; the absence of passers-by does not necessarily describe its ordinary use.

Key works and series

Views of old Paris; street furniture; Haussmann-era transformations.

Sources & further exploration

• The Met — Charles Marville: Photographer of Paris ↗