Paviljoens aan Place Stanislas te Nancy before 1896

This monochrome photograph captures the Pavilions at Place Stanislas in Nancy, France, although we don’t know exactly when it was taken or by whom. Place Stanislas was built in the 18th century, a time of great social inequality and political tension, just before the French Revolution. Conceived as a public space to honor King Louis XV, it served as a stage for royal power and a symbol of the monarchy's control. The orderly architecture and symmetrical design reflect the Enlightenment ideals of reason and order, yet the square's beauty and grandeur also masked the deep class divisions of French society. Look at the vast, empty square: it’s a space carefully designed to impress. The lack of people in this image perhaps prompts reflection on who exactly was meant to occupy and benefit from such spaces. Think about the labor and resources required to create such grandeur, and who bore the cost. Consider the photograph not just as a historical document, but as an invitation to reflect on the power dynamics embedded in urban spaces, and the stories they tell—and don't tell—about our shared history.