Celebrate photography's bicentenary with an unprecedented exhibition showcasing rare works from three French institutions, tracing its evolution from 19th-century daguerreotypes to modern art.
Exhibition highlights photography's history
The exhibition Les vies de la photographie celebrates the 200th anniversary of photography's invention by showcasing works from three French institutions: the Château d'eau, the Georges-Labit museum, and the Paul-Dupuy Museum of Fine Arts. It marks the first time these collections have been combined in a single display.Exhibition explores three main themes
The exhibition is structured around three parts, each focusing on a different aspect of photography’s development. These include its visual language, its relationship with art and documentary practices, and its role in shaping how the world is visually represented.Showcase of rare and historical images
Visitors will see images that are rarely displayed, ranging from the earliest photographic prints and daguerreotypes to contemporary works. The exhibition emphasizes the diversity of the Château d'eau’s collection, which has been a pioneer in collecting photography in France for over fifty years.Exhibition dates and location
The exhibition will be open to the public from October 16, 2026, to February 21, 2027, at the Château d'eau, located at 1 place Laganne.
