Ingangspoort Wereldtentoonstelling op het Museumplein, Amsterdam 1895 1895

Guy de Coral & Co. created this photograph of the entrance to the 1895 World Exhibition on Museumplein, Amsterdam. World Exhibitions like this one were a product of a specific historical moment: the height of European colonialism and industrial capitalism. They celebrated progress, innovation, and global trade, but they also visually reinforced power dynamics between colonizers and colonized. The architecture of the entrance gate combines classical elements with modern industrial materials, reflecting the era’s fascination with both the past and the future. Looking closely, one can see the inscription “Wereld Tentoonstelling,” emphasizing the event's global scope. But who was included in this idea of “the world,” and on what terms? This photograph reminds us that cultural events are never neutral; they are shaped by social, political, and economic forces. To understand this image, you might research the history of World Exhibitions, Dutch colonialism, and the development of Amsterdam as a global city. By situating art within its historical context, we can better understand its role in shaping social attitudes and power structures.