Markt te Valencia before 1897

Antoni Esplugas made this photograph of the Valencia Market, likely in the late 19th century. At that time, photography was still relatively new. One of its early functions was to document the world around us, and this image offers us a glimpse into the daily life of Valencia. We see the bustling market, a place of commerce and social exchange. In the background is a gothic building, La Lonja de la Seda, or the Silk Exchange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The image subtly speaks to the history of trade and economic power in Valencia. Markets have always been central to urban life, reflecting a city’s economic health and social dynamics. Esplugas's choice to include La Lonja suggests an awareness of Valencia's rich commercial past. To fully understand this photograph, we might delve into archives and historical accounts of Valencia during this period, exploring the role of markets in the local economy and culture. Art, like history, is always contingent on its context.