Gezicht op de poort van de voormalige penshal in Leiden before 1894

This is an undated photograph of the gate of the former almshouse in Leiden, taken by an anonymous photographer. Almshouses provided charitable housing for the poor, often the elderly and widowed, and they were a common feature of Dutch cities, reflecting the social welfare systems of the time. In this image, the architecture speaks of both inclusion and exclusion. The detailed carvings above the door, juxtaposed with the plain facade, represent a visual hierarchy. Note the two figures standing to the left of the gate: their presence suggests a narrative, a personal connection to the space. Consider how the almshouse served as a sanctuary for those on the margins of society, while also reinforcing social divisions through its very existence. What does it mean to provide care that is also a form of segregation? How do these structures shape the identities and experiences of those who dwell within and those who are excluded? This photograph invites us to reflect on these complex questions.