Miroir de Theil

The Miroir de Theil is one of the four major sources that feed into the Aqueduc de la Vanne, which crosses the forest of Fontainebleau to bring fresh water to Paris. This photograph documents the man-made reservoir as a site of dazzling natural effects in addition to its role as a functional water source. The waterʼs surface reflects not only the trees and outbuilding but also clouds that were erased from the sky itself during the long exposure. Works such as this were part of Collardʼs photographic campaign to document the drastic infrastructure improvements underway throughout France.