Binnenplaats met trap van het huis van Christoffel Plantijn before 1886

Here we see a photographic print by Joseph Maes, capturing the courtyard and staircase of Christoffel Plantijn's house. The photograph’s composition directs our gaze upwards, drawn by the strong vertical lines of the building and the rhythmic repetition of archways. The dark staircase contrasts with the light stone, creating a visual push and pull that enlivens the static architecture. Note how the heavy ornamentation above the arches is rendered with a sharp focus. Maes’ choice to photograph this space, is intriguing. The courtyard, typically a transitional area, becomes the focal point. In semiotic terms, the courtyard acts as a signifier, hinting at the cultural codes of domesticity and the importance of private space. Yet, by emphasizing the architectural elements over human presence, Maes destabilizes the conventional meaning of home, and presents it as a site of structural complexity. Finally, consider how the black and white medium strips away color, and reframes our perception, shifting the emphasis to form and texture. This is not merely a depiction of a space; it’s an exploration of how architecture can communicate ideas about history, structure, and our relationship to the built environment.