Lithograph made after a daguerreotype by Lerebours, 1840-1844

Noël Marie Paymal Lerebours (1807-1873) was an optician and daguerreotypist in Paris. In 1840 he published the first run of Excursions Daguerriennes, consisting of lithographs made from daguerreotypes made all over the world by several operators (views of towns and monuments). It included two views of Nîmes: the arena (during restoration work) and the Maison Carrée. The long exposure required for a daguerrotype made it impossible to show movement and the engraver added figures to make the town look lively and give it a picturesque touch.