Gezicht op Place Stanislas te Nancy before 1896

This monochrome print shows the Place Stanislas in Nancy. The cultural and historical context of this image cannot be understated. As we consider this picture of a public square we have to remember that public spaces are never neutral. They are contested sites that reflect and shape societal power dynamics. Although we don't know who took this photograph, we know that the Place Stanislas was built in the 18th century during a time of significant social stratification. Public squares like these, while ostensibly open to all, were primarily designed for and used by the upper classes. Its grand architecture and open layout served to reinforce social hierarchies, subtly excluding those who did not fit the elite mold. Consider this image as a reflection on the power dynamics embedded in urban planning and public spaces. What unspoken rules govern behavior here? Who feels welcome, and who might feel excluded?