Gezicht op een slaapkamer in renaissancestijl in het huis van J. vanden Peereboom in Anderlecht, België before 1898

This is a photograph by G. Choppinet depicting a Renaissance-style bedroom in the house of J. vanden Peereboom in Anderlecht, Belgium. The room is defined by its extensive use of carved wood. Notice the deeply carved details, especially on the bed, fireplace, and ceiling beams. Wood, as a material, carries a sense of warmth and organic life, but here, it’s elevated through skilled carving. The image captures the texture and weight of these wooden elements, contributing to an overall sense of grandeur. This aesthetic didn't come cheap. The creation of this room would have involved teams of skilled artisans, from lumberjacks and sawyers to carvers and joiners. Their labor is embedded in the final result, reflecting a significant investment of time and resources. Spaces like this represent a very deliberate choice, a means of performing status through skilled handcraft. Photographs like this provide a glimpse into the cultural values of the past, where craftsmanship and ornamentation were closely linked to social standing and wealth.