Congreskolom in Brussel 1863 - 1900

Editor: Here we have “Congreskolom in Brussel,” taken sometime between 1863 and 1900 by Neurdein Frères. It's a fascinating photographic print capturing a colossal monument within an urban setting. What I immediately notice is the stark contrast between the imposing column and the surrounding cityscape. What strikes you when you look at this? Curator: Well, for me, it’s the clear demonstration of power and labour represented by this monument. Constructed in the late 19th century, think about the vast quantities of material – stone, bronze, potentially iron – required, and all the people involved. Where did those raw materials come from? What were the working conditions like for the quarrymen, the sculptors, the construction workers? Editor: That’s a side I hadn’t considered! So you’re saying the photograph isn't just of the finished monument, but it subtly speaks of the industrial and societal forces at play during its creation? Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to consider the socio-economic context: the availability of resources, the organization of labor, the prevailing political climate that enabled such large-scale projects. Look closely, the very act of constructing this Congress Column would have generated a mini-economy around it. The process *is* the subject here as much as the output. Editor: Fascinating! Thinking about the social aspect makes me see the photograph in a new light. I was initially drawn to the aesthetic appeal, but now I appreciate the deeper layers of meaning tied to the work and cost involved in creating it. Curator: And how such grand structures helped shape and were shaped by social values. By asking about materiality, we can learn so much more!