Exterieur van Osborn Hall van Yale University te New Haven before 1895

This photographic print captures the exterior of Osborn Hall at Yale University in New Haven. Though the artist is unknown, the image speaks volumes about the social and material context of its time. Notice the building's construction: hefty stone blocks meticulously arranged, arches elegantly curved. The material itself, quarried and transported, implies considerable labor. This wasn't a quick or easy build; it required skilled stonecutters, masons, and countless hours of work. The very weight and permanence of the structure suggest an ambition, projecting institutional power through its solid presence. Photography, too, was a relatively laborious process at the time. Each print demanded careful attention, from the preparation of the photographic plate to the final development. Understanding the processes and materials, and the work involved, invites us to consider the values and priorities embedded within this image and the architecture it portrays.