Koningsplein in Brussel met het standbeeld van Godfried van Bouillon 1865 - 1875

Editor: This is an anonymous print from between 1865 and 1875, housed in the Rijksmuseum. It depicts Koningsplein in Brussels, showcasing the statue of Godfried van Bouillon. It has this quiet, almost solemn feeling to it. How do you read the visual messaging? Curator: I see this as more than just a depiction of a cityscape; it’s a visual encoding of power structures and national identity in 19th-century Belgium. Consider Godfried van Bouillon, a leader of the First Crusade, elevated here as a national symbol. What does that choice of representation say about the values and historical narratives being promoted? Editor: So you're saying it’s not just a pretty picture of a square? Curator: Precisely! The architecture, the monument itself - these are all tools of nation-building. Who is included in this vision of Belgian identity, and more importantly, who is excluded? The focus on a crusader king reflects a very specific, potentially problematic, interpretation of history, doesn’t it? How might marginalized communities have experienced or viewed this image? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It challenges the surface-level appreciation and prompts a deeper inquiry into the context. It’s not simply about admiring the cityscape; it's about understanding its implications. Curator: Exactly. And remember, photography itself was still a relatively new medium at this time. Think about the choices inherent in creating this image - the framing, the angle, the conscious selection of what to include and exclude. It’s a constructed reality, a curated view of Brussels designed to convey specific meanings and reinforce dominant ideologies. Editor: This really gives me a different lens through which to view historical images. Curator: Hopefully, it will inspire you to continue exploring the complex intersections of art, history, and power. The silences surrounding this and similar images speak volumes.