Exposition universelle de 1889 : la fontaine du Progrès par Jules-Félix Coutan sous la tour Eiffel et le pavillon de la Bolivie, 7ème arrondissement, Paris

Eiffel Tower was envisioned as a centerpiece for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, a world's fair to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. Eiffel acknowledged that inspiration for a tower came from the Latting Observatory built in New York City in 1853. On 30 March 1885, Eiffel presented his tower design to the Société des Ingénieurs Civils. Little progress was made until 1886 when a budget for the exposition was passed and an open competition was held for a centerpiece to the exposition and decided that all the proposals except Eiffel's were either impractical or lacking in details. The proposed tower had been a subject of controversy. Prior to the Eiffel Tower's construction, no structure had ever been constructed to a height of 300 m, and many people believed it was impossible. Some of the protesters changed their minds when the tower was built; others remained unconvinced. The main structural work was completed at the end of March 1889. Eiffel made use of his apartment at the top of the tower to carry out meteorological observations and also used the tower to perform experiments on the action of air resistance on falling bodies. The Eiffel Tower's lighting and sparkling lights are protected by copyright, so professional use of images of the Eiffel Tower at night requires prior authorization and may be subject to a fee.

Hippolyte Blancard (1843-1924) was a notable figure in 19th-century France, distinguished as both a pharmacist and a photographer. His photographic legacy primarily revolves around his compelling documentation of pivotal events in French history, notably the Siege of Paris in 1870 and the Paris Commune of 1871. During these tumultuous periods, Blancard diligently captured the essence of these events, amassing an impressive collection of over 500 photographs that now serve as a unique and invaluable historical record. Blancard's photographic prowess is characterized by two prominent attributes. First and foremost, his works stand out for their technical excellence, offering a stark and unflinching portrayal of the suffering and devastation wrought by war. In these images, one encounters scenes of barricades, ruins, and the poignant aftermath of conflict, starkly contrasting the prevailing romanticized portrayals of warfare prevalent during his era. Yet, Blancard's talents extended beyond mere documentation. He ventured into portraiture and genre scenes, showcasing his multifaceted artistic range. His portraits are noteworthy for their profound psychological depth, delving into the inner worlds of his subjects. Simultaneously, his genre scenes provide a window into the everyday lives of late 19th-century Parisians, offering a vivid tableau of the period's social fabric. Hippolyte Blancard's enduring influence is evident through the placement of his works in esteemed institutions. These include the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, a testament to the enduring significance and impact of his photographs in the realm of early modern artistry.

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