Gezicht op een ziekenhuis in Antwerpen, België before 1893

Editor: Here we have a print entitled "Gezicht op een ziekenhuis in Antwerpen, België," or "View of a Hospital in Antwerp, Belgium," dating from before 1893 by Römmler & Jonas. It depicts, quite literally, a hospital in Antwerp, Belgium, using architectural realism. The sharp details feel so cold. What do you see here? Curator: Ah, yes. This print whispers to me of duty and stoicism, doesn’t it? The stark lines almost carve out the dedication to human service... or, perhaps, something more clinical? Do you notice how the artists chose this somewhat flattened perspective, compressing the building into a series of planes? Editor: Now that you mention it, I do see the flatness. It almost reminds me of a stage set. Was this common at the time? Curator: It was, indeed! Remember, photography was gaining traction, nudging artists toward explorations of form and representation. They're showing us not just a building but an idea of "hospital," of care itself rendered in stone and window. The print also reminds me of when I volunteered at the local animal shelter. Editor: You volunteered? What did you do there? Curator: Well, that’s another story for another day! Tell me, does this print make you want to reach out, understand more about the lives within its walls, or does it keep you at a distance, analyzing only the form? Editor: I feel... distanced. Almost like I am not wanted. It makes me think about the people who went inside those doors. Thanks, I never considered all of those angles before! Curator: My pleasure! It is important for us to be thoughtful about the history and purpose behind the walls we construct, isn't it? Now, what other print have we got lined up?