Gezicht op een ministerie in het Palacio de Fomento in Madrid c. 1888 - 1898

This photograph, "Gezicht op een ministerie in het Palacio de Fomento in Madrid," by Hauser y Menet, captures a moment frozen in time. While the exact date of its creation remains unknown, the image offers a glimpse into the architectural grandeur and societal structure of Madrid during its time. The Palacio de Fomento, now the Ministry of Agriculture, stands as a symbol of progress and governance. Yet, the photograph is not just about the building. It invites us to reflect on the relationship between power, representation, and the built environment. It prompts us to think about whose stories are told through architecture and whose are marginalized or erased. Who does progress serve? Reflecting on this image today, we are reminded that photographs are never neutral records. Instead, they are carefully constructed narratives. This photograph asks us to consider the layers of history and power embedded in a seemingly straightforward depiction of a government building.