Beursstraat te Antwerpen before 1894

Th. Lantin’s ‘Beursstraat te Antwerpen’ is a photograph from the late 19th century, capturing a street scene with what appears to be a stock exchange. The photographic process itself is central to understanding the image. Photography emerged as a medium deeply intertwined with industrialization, mass production, and a rapidly changing society. It democratized image-making, and offered a seemingly objective representation of the world. But of course, every photograph is still a made object, dependent on skilled labor to set up the shot, develop the negative, and print the final image. In this case, we see a moment in time frozen by the photographic lens. The architecture, streetlamps, and commercial signs all speak to the era's burgeoning capitalism. The photograph's material qualities—its tonal range and sharpness—contribute to its evocative power. By considering photography not just as representation but as material culture, we can better appreciate its role in shaping perceptions of reality, and question the idea of 'art' as separate from commercial and industrial processes.