Catacombes De ParisGaspard Felix Tournachon · 1861

Identification of Catacombes De Paris by Nadar

Catacombes De Paris is a photograph produced by the artist Nadar in 1861. The image captures a specific subterranean environment located in Paris, France. The subject matter consists of human remains arranged within an underground ossuary. This site contains a large pile of bones, including various skulls and other skeletal elements, situated within a stone-walled chamber.

The work documents the interior of the Paris Catacombs. Within the frame, a man is positioned amidst the collection of bones. The scene is characterized by the presence of a chair in the background and the irregular, organic shapes of the skeletal remains. The composition focuses on the interaction between the human figure and the mass of bones that occupies the majority of the vertical space.

Composition and Visual Elements

The photograph is vertically oriented, utilizing a frame dominated by a large pile of human bones. These remains occupy the majority of the central space, creating a dense arrangement of organic shapes. A man is positioned amidst this macabre display, situated slightly off-center within the composition. In the background to the left, a single chair is visible, providing a sense of scale against the surrounding stone walls and the heap of skeletal remains.

The image is entirely monochrome, relying on a range of gray tones to define the scene. High-contrast lighting creates a dramatic effect, with bright whites highlighting the surfaces of the bones and deep blacks defining the shadows within the recesses of the catacombs. This light source, appearing to originate from above, casts strong shadows that emphasize the three-dimensional textures of the skulls and the rough, irregular surfaces of the stone walls. The arrangement of the bones introduces a variety of curves, angles, and irregular shapes that contrast with the more rigid, vertical lines of the masonry.

Technique and Artistic Materials

This monochrome photograph was likely created using the wet collodion process, a method requiring the preparation of glass plates in a darkroom environment. The resulting image is printed on photographic paper, capturing a wide range of gray tones. The technical execution relies on the specific properties of this medium to render the textures of the bone and stone surfaces. Deep blacks define the shadows within the recesses of the ossuary, while bright whites highlight the uppermost surfaces of the skeletal remains.

The lighting is directed from an unseen source above, creating a dramatic spotlight effect on the man positioned within the scene. This intentional placement of light produces strong contrasts between the illuminated areas and the surrounding shadows. Such high-contrast lighting emphasizes the three-dimensionality of the pile of bones and the irregular, rough textures of the stone walls. The interplay of light and shadow defines the organic shapes of the skulls and the structural lines of the underground chamber.