Gezicht op het stadhuis van Laon 1895

This albumen print captures the town hall square of Laon, France, by Étienne Neurdein. Neurdein was part of a wave of photographers who documented the changing face of Europe during the late 19th century. This image is not merely a neutral record of architecture; it's a window into the values of the time. The imposing town hall and the statue in the square speak volumes about civic pride and the assertion of power. Note the absence of ordinary people. The open square is eerily devoid of the bustling life one might expect. This deliberate choice reflects the photographic conventions of the time, which often prioritized order and permanence over the messy realities of everyday life. Neurdein's photograph invites us to consider how public spaces embody and reinforce social hierarchies. While seemingly benign, it perpetuates a narrative of control and exclusion. It also stands as a testament to the selective nature of historical documentation.