Gezicht op het casino en het kurhaus van Oostende 1873 - 1890

Here is a stereoscopic card presenting a view of the casino and Kurhaus of Ostend. The bustling scene, populated by figures in fin-de-siècle attire, tells a story of leisure and social ritual. Note the parasols held by the elegant ladies. Once, these were symbols of status in ancient civilizations, and the parasol indicated rank and power, shielding royalty from the common gaze and the sun's rays. In the modern era, while the parasol's function shifted to sun protection, its symbolic weight endured, reflecting the user's refined position within society. This small object evokes a powerful force, connecting us to a past where symbols of power and status were as carefully constructed as the grand architecture behind them. It emphasizes the cyclical progression of symbols, how they resurface and evolve.