Waag te Deventer before 1881

This photogravure depicts the Waag building in Deventer, constructed in 1566. The image captures the Waag's imposing architecture, a testament to the economic and civic importance of the structure during the 16th century. Historically, the Waag served as a public weighing house. During this time in the Netherlands, marketplaces were a nexus of cultural exchange and economic activity. The careful weighing of goods was essential for fair trade. Buildings like the Waag were vital to the development of mercantile capitalism. The image, produced through a photogravure process, evokes a sense of the past. The visual representation of the building can make us think about the labor, exchange, and social interactions that occurred within its walls. It prompts us to consider the many ways in which architecture embodies social relations.