Madrid Between Eras

The History Museum of Madrid presents a unique journey into the city’s past through a visual dialogue between historical and  contemporary photographs. The exhibition, which can be seen from 30 April to 4 October, features several photo-montages by Andrés Valentín Pérez Serén, created using the rephotography technique.

This technique involves rephotographing an old image in the present day, from exactly the same angle as the original, and then merging the two images from different eras into a single composition. 

In order to show visitors that Madrid remains unchanged whilst simultaneously being under constant transformation, the exhibition is made up of a selection of 40 rephotographs as a result of exhaustive documentation and technical precision, in which the artist reveals which corners have remained over time and which have altered their appearance forever.

Image Credits:

• Crystal Palace. Black and white photograph: Unknown photographer. Source: Images from Ancient Madrid, Ediciones La Librería/Memory of Madrid
  Library.
• Stroll through Puerta del Sol and Casa del Reloj. Black and white photograph: Unknown photographer. Source: Madrid Antiguo (Facebook).
• Opening of Hotel Roma. Black and white photograph: Unknown photographer. Source: Memory of Madrid (memoriademadrid.es)/Madrid History Museum.