Gezicht op Temple Bar, Londen 1866 - 1868

Samuel E. Poulton captured this view of Temple Bar in London with a photographic process during an era of significant social transformation. Poulton's work provides us with a snapshot of 19th-century London, a bustling center of commerce and colonial power, but what does this image not show us? We see the grandeur of the architecture and the flow of traffic, but the stark realities of class disparity and the experiences of marginalized communities remain unseen. The architecture speaks of a powerful empire, yet what stories are concealed behind the facades of these buildings? Photography at this time captured a certain kind of truth, often reflecting the values and perspectives of the dominant culture. It prompts us to reflect on the selective nature of historical records and question the narratives that have been privileged over others. The emotional impact of this image lies in its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia, but it should also encourage us to think critically about the complexities of the past.