Gezicht op Château Cos d'Estournel in Saint-Estèphe, Frankrijk before 1867

This is a photograph of Château Cos d'Estournel in Saint-Estèphe, France, made by Alfred Danflou. Think of it as a moment captured in time, reflecting both the grandeur of French architecture and the nuances of a society deeply rooted in class and tradition. The Château itself, with its imposing structure, symbolizes the wealth and power of the aristocratic elite that commissioned it. But what stories do the vineyards hold? What about the lives of the workers who toiled in these fields, their identities often overlooked in favor of romanticizing the landscape? It prompts us to consider whose perspectives are valued and whose are marginalized in these historical narratives. Consider this photograph a visual prompt to question the power dynamics inherent in representations of wealth, labor, and identity. How does it invite you to reflect on the ways in which history is framed and remembered?