Gezicht op Château de Marlagne te Wépion before 1867

This albumen print, made by the Ghémar Frères, gives us a view of the Château de Marlagne in Wépion. Though undated, the image speaks to the rise of photography as a tool for documenting and, importantly, marketing architectural achievements. What we see here is not merely a representation of a building, but a carefully constructed image intended for public consumption. The choice of perspective, placing the château atop a hill and surrounded by lush greenery, evokes a sense of grandeur and timelessness. In 19th-century Belgium, the rise of industrialisation created a growing market for luxury goods and experiences. Photography played a crucial role in promoting these offerings, capturing and disseminating images of opulence and refinement. By studying archival materials such as period advertisements, tourist brochures, and social registers, we can gain a deeper understanding of how images like this one shaped perceptions of wealth and status. This photograph serves as a reminder that art does not exist in a vacuum.