Voorgevel van het Custom House te Londen c. 1850 - 1880

This stereograph shows the front of the Custom House in London, captured by Valentine Blanchard. The sepia tones evoke a sense of historical distance, inviting contemplation of the past. The composition is dominated by the architectural mass of the Custom House. Blanchard uses a symmetrical approach to emphasize the building's imposing facade with its regimented rows of windows and neoclassical columns. The rigid lines and geometric forms convey order, stability and the authority of the British Empire. This photograph is not just a record, but a commentary on space and power. The Custom House, as a site of trade and governance, represents the structures that define economic and social interactions. Blanchard’s formal treatment invites us to reflect on the relationships between architecture, society, and representation.