Gezicht op het Broodhuis aan de noordzijde van de Grote Markt in Brussel 1866 - 1874

This stereograph, likely made by Jules Hippolyte Quéval, shows the north side of the Grand Place in Brussels. What strikes you first is the composition, arranged along a clear horizontal axis, creating a sense of balance and order. The buildings, with their varying heights and architectural details, line the square; their facades are rich in detail and evenly spaced. The materiality of the photograph itself—the sepia tones and the soft focus—contributes to the work’s overall meaning. It serves as a signifier of a bygone era. The lack of sharp detail, combined with the subdued palette, distances us from the scene, almost creating a sense of timelessness. The stereoscopic format invites you to step into this world. Consider, too, how the photograph's structure invites interpretation—a reminder that seeing is never a neutral act. The materiality and form is a cultural artefact as much as it is a picture.