1850s: Louis Napoleon, a nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte who conquered Europe in the early years of the century, rules France as a dictator, taking for himself the name Napoleon III.

Today: France is a democracy, with an elected parliament and president.

1850s: Paris is considered one of the cultural centers of the Western world, and artists flock there to be part of its thriving artistic scene.

Today: Paris is still considered one of the world's great cultural centers. Because of improvements in travel and communication, its appeal is not just limited to people from Europe and America, but from all over the globe.

1850s: One characteristic of the romantic age, which dominates art during the first half of the century, is a fascination with the occult or supernatural.

Today: Very few poets concern themselves with issues like the supernatural power of beauty, focusing instead...