The optical telegraph, a precursor to the telephone, captivated the people of 19th-century France before it was replaced by more modern forms of communication. In Paris, the device sparked fear and suspicion, with some even resorting to destroying early versions in 1792. Artists and writers of the era were both enchanted and unsettled by the telegraph’s angular and winged appearance, with Victor Hugo even ridiculing the device in his satirical poem “Le Télégraphe.”
Richard Taws explores the artistic representation of the optical telegraph in his book “Time Machines: Telegraphic Images in Nineteenth Century France.” Through extensive research and analysis, Taws delves into the intersections of political, scientific, and visual histories as artists and inventors encountered the telegraph in cities like Paris and Vienna.
The book highlights lesser-known genre painters such as Jacques François Joseph Swebach-Desfontaines, Étienne Bouhot, and Georges Michel, whose works often depicted the telegraph in various settings. Georges Michel’s later paintings, such as “View of the Butte Montmartre with the Church of Saint Pierre,” showcase the merging of telegraph iconography with changing landscapes, reflecting France’s evolving environment influenced by technological advancements.
The telegraph’s visual representation can also be seen in the works of renowned artists like Honoré Daumier, J. J. Grandville, and Charles Norry, as well as in caricatures and etchings by Louis Pierre Baltard. These diverse artistic interpretations shed light on the telegraph’s cultural significance during the 19th century.
While Taws’s book may be challenging to navigate due to its complex writing style, it offers valuable insights into the forgotten history of the telegraph in French art. The book prompts readers to explore other technologies that have shaped history, such as windmills, telescopes, and hot air balloons, raising the question of how much more art historical representation remains undiscovered.
“Time Machines: Telegraphic Images in Nineteenth-Century France” by Richard Taws is a thought-provoking exploration of the telegraph’s impact on art and society. Available through MIT Press and independent booksellers, the book offers a unique perspective on a technology that once captivated the imagination of a nation.
