Gezicht op de Vismarkt te Groningen c. 1880 - 1900

Johannes Gerardus Kramer captured this image of the Vismarkt in Groningen using photography, a relatively new medium in the 19th century. The photograph offers a glimpse into the social stratification of the time. The architecture, from the grand church to the orderly shops, speaks of established power and commerce. In contrast, the people populating the square present a complex tableau of social identities, where the burgeoning middle class mixed with those of more humble backgrounds. Consider the gaze of the figures captured here. Kramer's composition invites us to reflect on who is seen and how, prompting questions about the power dynamics inherent in the act of looking. This image serves as a mirror, reflecting the complexities and contradictions of a society in transition.