Expositie van de goudsmid Emile Anthony tijdens de wereldtentoonstelling te Antwerpen 1894

This photograph by Th. Lantin captures Emile Anthony's goldsmith exhibition at the Antwerp World Fair in 1894. The World Fair served as a stage to showcase national innovation, culture, and power, with industrial achievements taking center stage. Here, Anthony's work gains prominence within the commercial theatre of international relations. Note the architecture: the high ceilings of the pavilion, the arches, columns, and the glass vitrines. These design elements speak to the cultural values placed on industry and trade, and the idea of progress that defined the late 19th century. The presence of a uniformed guard speaks volumes about the social conditions that shape artistic production, and reminds us of the power dynamics at play in the creation and consumption of luxury goods. To understand the deeper context of this image, we might turn to studies of the history of world fairs, the jewelry trade, and histories of the city of Antwerp. By doing so, we can see how seemingly simple images are embedded in a larger, and complex, story of social and economic relations.