This photograph, now held at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, depicts a renowned Parisian tailor from the late 19th century posing alongside his young apprentice. At first glance, everything evokes artisanal success: confident posture, impeccable clothing, and refined decor. For decades, this image has been seen as a tribute to the craftsmanship of the Belle Époque.
But history never stops at what we see on the surface.
