Toegangsportaal van het aartsbisschoppelijk paleis te Wenen before 1894

Here's an anonymous print of the entrance to the Archbishop's Palace in Vienna. Considered in the context of its location, this image represents power and exclusion. In this period, Vienna was the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a society defined by strict social hierarchies and imperial authority. The palace, and thus this entrance, would have been a potent symbol of the church's influence and its alignment with the ruling Habsburg dynasty. Entrances and access points, like this arched portal, aren't just about physical space. They signify who is allowed in and who is kept out. The architecture is imposing, designed to inspire awe and perhaps a bit of intimidation. This image captures a moment in time, a place of privilege, and asks us to think about who had access and who was denied.