Historical photographs «Vues de la suisse» by Adolphe Braun & Cie.

In the middle of the 19th century, Jean Adolphe Braun inspired the imagination of the European bourgeoisie with his photographs. From the 1850s onward, an increasing number of people had the financial means to travel. However, only a few owned their own photographic equipment, so they purchased photographs on site. Soon a flourishing business in pictures and photo albums emerged. The company Braun & Cie, led by Jean Adolphe Braun and his son Gaston in Mulhouse, Alsace, specialized in landscapes and city views. Their images of Switzerland spread throughout Europe and shaped the country’s touristic perception. As a “by‑product,” they also documented the emergence of Alpine infrastructure.