In 1838 the World’s First Photo of Humans Was Taken in Paris. 188 Years Later, Its Exact Location Has Finally Been Found

Three filmmakers have recently resolved a nearly 200-year-old mystery surrounding one of the earliest photographs of human beings, capturing a moment in 19th-century Paris. The image, known as ‘Boulevard du Temple’, was taken by French painter Louis Daguerre in 1838, and features a shoe-shiner attending to a client on the bustling Parisian street. However, the exact location of this significant scene, where these two figures stood, remained elusive until now.

Daguerre’s pioneering work in photography has left an indelible mark on the medium, as he is credited with inventing the daguerreotype process. The photograph, which is considered the oldest to depict humans, showcases a man getting his shoes polished, a scene that would typically have been filled with activity. Yet, due to the lengthy exposure time required by early photographic techniques—up to ten minutes—only the shoe-shiner and his client appear clearly captured, as they were the only two individuals able to remain still for that duration.

Over the centuries, Paris underwent extensive transformations, particularly around the Boulevard du Temple, which was altered with the construction of the Place de la République. This redevelopment rendered pinpointing the original location of Daguerre’s photograph increasingly difficult. For years, historians and photography enthusiasts have speculated about its whereabouts, but definitive answers remained out of reach.

Two years ago, the quest to identify the spot took form when filmmakers Maximilien Van Aertryck, Axel Danielson, and Kalle Boman launched a project titled “An Unexpected Detail.” The initiative began almost serendipitously as the trio found themselves at the Place de la République, realising that they were close to the historic site depicted in Daguerre’s groundbreaking photograph.

“We were struck by how little had been done to identify or commemorate this spot. We felt it would be intriguing to explore further,” said Van Aertryck in an interview with Radio France. The filmmakers embarked on an extensive investigation, employing a combination of 3D scans, archival research, and architectural analysis to recreate the layout of the area as it was in the late 1830s.

The research began with detailed measurements of the Place de la République and the surrounding Boulevard du Temple. The group also delved into historical archives to better understand the urban landscape of Paris during Daguerre’s time. Their efforts culminated in the creation of a 3D model, which allowed them to compare historical dimensions with the current city layout.

Collaborating with architectural firms from both France and Sweden, the team sought to pinpoint the precise location where the shoe-shiner and his client were situated. In doing so, they determined two possible locations, which were found to be two metres apart. Ultimately, the filmmakers decided to place a plaque at a midpoint between these two points, thereby marking the spot and preserving its significance.

As a gesture of appreciation towards Paris for its support in their research, the filmmakers presented a plaque to the city. This plaque features an image from the original photograph on one side, while the opposite side provides a description of its origin and historical context. It has been affixed to the ground in the Place de la République, replacing two paving stones, thus offering a tangible connection to a moment in history that began the visual documentation of human existence.

Van Aertryck expressed the importance of the photograph, stating, “It opens a window to a new era in photography, illustrating how past innovations have shaped our reality and urging us to understand these changes.” The filmmakers plan to expand their research into the early days of photography and are considering the release of a book and exhibition in the near future.

As this plaque now stands as a testament to a pivotal moment in both art and technology, it serves not only as a marker of a historical site but also as a reminder of the transformative nature of photography that continues to influence modern visual culture.