Exterieur van het Römer, het stadhuis van Frankfurt am Main 1900 - 1906

Editor: This is "Exterieur van het Römer, het stadhuis van Frankfurt am Main," a photograph taken sometime between 1900 and 1906 by Delizy. It's currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. There's almost a dreamlike quality to this cityscape, partly because of the sepia tones and the somewhat obscured details. What can you tell us about it? Curator: It's fascinating to consider the cultural context. By the turn of the century, photography had become more accessible, but its role in shaping perceptions of urban spaces was still evolving. A photograph like this, depicting the Römer, which was and still is a powerful symbol of Frankfurt, begs the question: what was Delizy trying to convey about the city’s identity at this time? Editor: That’s a good point. The Römer represents a specific history and governance. Did Delizy have an agenda in presenting this particular view? Curator: Perhaps not a deliberate agenda, but photographers, like all artists, make choices that reflect their perspectives. The soft focus, almost blurring the lines of the buildings, could be interpreted as a commentary on the changing nature of the city itself, a place caught between tradition and modernity. Also, consider the role of the Rijksmuseum, the current location. How does its collecting and display practices further shape public understanding of works like this? Editor: So, the image, its creation, and even its present location, all contribute to how we understand Frankfurt's history and identity. It makes me wonder what future generations will think of the city based on images created today. Curator: Precisely. And this photograph reminds us that images are never neutral; they are always participating in the ongoing construction of cultural memory. That is to say that everything we see represents only what the photographer and even society deems important. Editor: That’s something I will keep in mind. It definitely provides a broader perspective on art and culture. Thank you.