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Canal St. Martin

Our Inspiration: Canal St. Martin
Franck (French, 1816–1906)
Albumen silver print from glass negative, 7 5/16 x 9 15/16 in., 1860
Gilman Collection, Museum Purchase, 2005 2005.100.380
As Napoleon III's master urban planner, Baron Haussmann oversaw a vast program of demolition and construction throughout Paris, designed in part to realize a safer, healthier, more modern city. Today, some of his alterations are barely visible to the modern pedestrian; while the sewers, catacombs, and the covering of the Bièvre River all changed the look and feel (and smell) of Paris, they’re largely hidden from view. Only recently, as tourist barges have begun to ply the 2.8-mile Canal Saint-Martin, have people been able to see the engineering work pictured in this photograph.

Our Inspiration: Canal St. Martin
Franck (French, 1816–1906)
Albumen silver print from glass negative, 7 5/16 x 9 15/16 in., 1860
Gilman Collection, Museum Purchase, 2005 2005.100.380
As Napoleon III's master urban planner, Baron Haussmann oversaw a vast program of demolition and construction throughout Paris, designed in part to realize a safer, healthier, more modern city. Today, some of his alterations are barely visible to the modern pedestrian; while the sewers, catacombs, and the covering of the Bièvre River all changed the look and feel (and smell) of Paris, they’re largely hidden from view. Only recently, as tourist barges have begun to ply the 2.8-mile Canal Saint-Martin, have people been able to see the engineering work pictured in this photograph.