Gezicht op het Royal Infirmary in Manchester before 1878

This is Alfred Brothers' "Gezicht op het Royal Infirmary in Manchester," a photograph from the late 19th century. It offers us a glimpse into Victorian England, a period marked by rapid industrialization, stark class divisions, and burgeoning civic institutions. Brothers’ choice to photograph the Royal Infirmary is telling. These institutions often served as sites of both care and social control, embodying complex relationships between philanthropy, public health, and the management of poverty. The image captures a moment in the daily life of the city; horse-drawn carriages line up in front of the building, suggesting a bustling scene of activity. The architecture looms large, a symbol of progress but also of the power structures that shaped the lives of the city's inhabitants. It invites us to reflect on the human stories behind the facade of institutional care. What were the experiences of those who sought treatment within its walls? How did gender, race, and class intersect to shape access to healthcare during this era? It reminds us of the intricate ways in which art can serve as a mirror, reflecting both the aspirations and the inequalities of a society.