Vierschaar met de Rechtvaardigheid in het stadhuis van Nijmegen c. 1875 - 1900

This photograph titled 'Vierschaar met de Rechtvaardigheid in het stadhuis van Nijmegen' was taken by Johannes Gerardus Kramer sometime between 1845 and 1903. It captures the ambiance of a courtroom or council chamber, a space laden with the weight of decisions, justice, and the silent stories of those who stood before it. The image presents a scene steeped in the historical and social frameworks of governance. The high-backed wooden chairs and the statue of Justitia towering above, embody the solemnity and power associated with legal proceedings. The photograph doesn't just show a room; it evokes the experience of being judged, of being part of a community governed by laws, and of the complex interplay between justice and power. During Kramer’s time, photography served not only as documentation but also as a reflection of societal values and ideals. What kind of justice was being served in this chamber? Who had access to it and who was excluded? This image invites us to reflect on the evolving notions of justice and the spaces in which they are enacted.