Revoir Paris
Un petit séjour d’un mois
Revoir Paris
Et me retrouver chez moi
With the words of Charles Trenet in my head and on the tip of my tongue, I entered the exhibit of the same title at Huis Marseille in Amsterdam. The exhibit features a large selection of 72 original large-format photographs, 16 of which were rediscovered in 2017. These photos were taken by the successful French amateur photographers, the Séeberger brothers, for four photography competitions organized by the city of Paris in the early 20th century. They are currently housed in the Musée Carnavalet – the museum of the history of Paris. The Séeberger brothers, Jules and his two younger brothers Henri and Louis, dedicated significant time and effort to these competitions. The photos showcase well-known locations in Paris, such as Montmartre, as well as lesser-known spots like the Bièvre River, now buried and invisible to pedestrians. Each location is brought to life by the presence of real people from that era, specifically hired by the brothers to represent Parisians. Although some of the photos are conventional in their setup, they remain unique testimonies of the Belle Époque on the eve of World War I, These images evoke for me a deep longing for the Paris of yesteryear, a city full of charm and character that has since faded into history. And Charles Trenet’s song resonates within me with the same nostalgia.
Seul sous la pluie
Parmi la foule des grands boulevards
Quelle joie inouïe
D’aller ainsi au hasard
