Gezicht op de colonnade op Place la Carrière te Nancy before 1896

This anonymous print captures the colonnade on Place la Carrière in Nancy, offering us a glimpse into the urban aesthetics of its time. Nancy, the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, held a complex position, bridging French and German cultural spheres. The print invites us to consider how spaces of power are constructed and represented. The colonnade, with its imposing architecture and classical references, speaks to the ambitions of those who commissioned it, likely reflecting aspirations of grandeur. The symmetry and orderliness of the space suggest a desire for control and a visual assertion of authority. But what about those who inhabited and moved through this space? Consider the experiences of different social classes, genders, and races. How might their identities shape their perception and interaction with such a structured environment? Do the stone carvings and statues project a singular narrative, or can we find room for alternative stories within these walls?