The field of maneuvers in Châlons-sur-Marne, 1857

About the Work

Gustave Le Gray belonged to the circle of photographers, regularly commissioned by Napoleon III to document his prestige projects. Public manoeuvres and displays at the newly built military base at Châlons-sur-Marne northeast of Paris served the military self-representation of the Second Empire. For his panorama of the great exercise field, Le Gray required six individual shots, which he then carefully cut and assembled to achieve the impression of seamless continuity. His selection of detail with the central horizon line further emphasizes the ample space of the terrain.