Poissonerie, Caen

About this artwork

This remarkable salted paper print documents the fish market (poissonerie) in Caen, Normandy, capturing the architectural heritage and daily commerce of mid-nineteenth-century France. Created by Edmond Bacot between 1852 and 1854, the photograph exemplifies early French photography's dual commitment to architectural documentation and artistic expression. Bacot, who lived from 1814 to 1875, was a man of independent means in Caen who dedicated himself to photographing the Gothic monuments and urba...

Art Historical Context

Step into the bustling fish market of Caen,, through *Poissonerie, Caen a salted paper print by Edmond Bacot from 2–54. This early photograph captures the vibrant daily commerce and architectural heritage of mid-nineteenth-century France featuring towns, buildings, bridges, carts alive with activity. Bacot, a wealthy resident of Caen (1814–1875), dedicated his life to documenting Normandy's Gothic monuments and urban during photography's formative years, establishing himself as one of three photographers in Lower Normandy. The salted paper process—one of the earliest techniques—involved coati...