Eugène Atget
La Bièvre – Porte d’Italie

Public Domain

ExpandFavorite

Images(4)

Artist Eugène Atget(French, 1857–1927)French, 1857–1927

CultureFrench

Titles

La Bièvre – Porte d’Italie

Date1913

MediumAlbumen silver print from glass negative

DimensionsImage: 6 3/4 × 8 15/16 in. (17.1 × 22.7 cm)
Sheet: 6 7/8 × 9 in. (17.5 × 22.9 cm)

Credit LineGift of an anonymous donor

Object number2013.674

Not on view

Explore Further

Department

Photography

Object Type

PHOTOGRAPHS

DescriptionAt
precisely the moment that Atget photographed the Bièvre River, a tributary of the
Seine, its path within the boundaries of Paris was being covered over and its
waters diverted into the Paris sewer system. Quaint though it may look to
modern eyes, Atget’s photograph shows evidence of the industries that had grown
along the river’s banks over the course of some five centuries—butchers,
tanneries, mills, and factories, all dumping their waste into its waters.
ProvenancePrivate collection; given to MFAH, 2013.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Inscribed in negative, recto, bottom left corner: 404 [reversed]
Stamped in black with addition in pencil, verso: E. ATGET // Rue Campagne-Première, 17bis[pencil]
Inscribed in pencil, verso: La Bievre - Porte d'Italie 404

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.