Kantoor van de wethouder van openbare werken in het stadhuis van Brussel, België before 1898

Editor: This photograph, "Kantoor van de wethouder van openbare werken in het stadhuis van Brussel, België," dating back to before 1898, shows an office interior. What strikes me is the abundance of carved wood—the walls, the doors, the furniture. What aspects stand out to you? Curator: The immediate impact of the woodwork directs my attention to the conditions of its production. Who were the artisans who carved this Baroque interior? Their labor, their skill, and their economic standing in late 19th-century Brussels are embedded within this image, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Absolutely! It's easy to overlook the makers behind such intricate work. Did the photograph itself influence ideas of production and consumption back then? Curator: Indeed. Photography in this period played a role in disseminating images of power and luxury, shaping consumer desires and normalizing certain standards of architectural design. How do you think this image, as a mass-produced print, changed the understanding or accessibility of such spaces? Editor: I suppose it democratized access. Before photography, only a select few might have entered such a space, while many more could possess an image of it. Were there other influences beyond aesthetics and consumerism at work? Curator: Consider the political weight of the “openbare werken”—public works. This image tacitly communicates about state power. Moreover, analyzing the photographic process itself—the materials, labor, and techniques involved—allows us to see how meaning is created. Editor: So, focusing on the means of production helps unravel the social and political context, transforming what might seem like a mere image into something much richer. I’ll never look at wood panelling the same way! Curator: And that is the beginning of truly seeing!