By Francesca Lungarotti
Vintage photography is a true source of knowledge and a means, or a “window into the past,” to experience places as they once were and learn how they were created.
No artificial intelligence will ever be able to restore the authenticity of photos that tell stories of recent history by capturing the unexpected and the genuine: such as the dust of the construction site and the expressions of the people.
Due to major renovations, including the removal of asbestos, a material proven harmful to the environment, the Centre Pompidou in Paris recently closed its doors on September 22, 2025, for five years.
We are very fortunate to have in our UIG archives splendid images dating back to 1976, a year before its opening to the public, taken by Molteni Motta.
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg. 
1976, Paris, Rive droite, Centre Pompidou, Beaubourg.
This incredible collection of images helps us understand and reflect on how documentary photography is becoming absolutely essential and irreplaceable by the verisimilitude of something resembling that happened.
All images in this post ©Molteni Motta. All images featured in this post and on Kaleidoscope are available for licensing. Please contact us at info@universalimagesgroup.com