Belfort en hallen te Brugge before 1889

This print of the Belfort en hallen te Brugge is from an unknown artist, and date. The print depicts a building constructed primarily of stone, showcasing the materiality and labor involved in its creation. The rough texture, weight and color of the stone all contribute to its monumental, awe-inspiring presence. Erecting such a structure would require quarrying, transporting and skillfully laying the stone, all intensive manual processes, thus imbuing the tower with social and cultural meaning related to labor and construction. The techniques and tools used to realize the structure also engaged with traditions belonging to craft, fine arts and architecture. In understanding the cultural significance of the Belfort en hallen te Brugge, it’s important to look beyond conventional boundaries of art history. This helps to challenge distinctions between high art and craft and see the intrinsic value of materials, making and context.