This new site is the first of a two-part project based on two consecutive exhibitions at the Getty Research Institute. This first installment features a collection of nineteenth-century photos that juxtaposes images of ruined ancient empires with images that chronicle France's failed attempt to construct an empire in Mexico in the 1860s. The 75 images are organized in three chronological categories and browsed by thumbnail. Each includes a caption and link to a full-sized image in a separate browser window. The images are also browseable by themes (people, events, sites, objects). An illustrated chronology, information on the photographers, and some brief background information round out the site. At present, only the Flash-enhanced version of the site is available, but a plain HTML version is in the works.