Ingang en zuidelijke toren van Kasteel Borgharen voor de restauratie c. 1893

Editor: This is a photograph entitled "Entrance and south tower of Borgharen Castle before restoration" by Raphaël baron de Selys-Longchamps, dating back to around 1893. It's a remarkably detailed print; its somber sepia tones make me feel nostalgic. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This image whispers stories of a bygone era, doesn't it? It evokes a strong sense of the pictorialist movement. It reminds us how deeply humans crave connection to heritage. See how the artist frames the entrance; the play of light and shadow almost makes the castle a character in itself. The image seems to portray not just a building, but an idea of permanence, of a stronghold against the currents of time. Do you get a sense of that deliberate contrast between solidity and the ethereal quality of light? Editor: I see it. There is indeed a ghostly element in how the sunlight appears to touch some stones and not others, highlighting its details and suggesting time's passage. Was this castle a known symbol? Curator: Castles are powerful symbols generally representing power, status, defense. Notice also the presence of water, possibly a moat. The symbolism becomes layered - the castle protecting against physical threats, the water cleansing and guarding against spiritual ones, even perhaps against time. Editor: It's like the artist is creating a portrait of an ideal rather than simply documenting the place. So by employing soft focus, does this elevate an ordinary photo into a realm of idealised memory? Curator: Precisely! It becomes less about the specific castle, more about our collective yearning for history, tradition, and even a little bit of romance attached to historical events. Editor: That's so interesting to learn. Thanks! It definitely gave me a deeper look into what might have otherwise looked like just an old building in sepia tones!