Binnenplaats van de Handelsbeurs te Antwerpen 1829 - 1869

Adrien Canelle created this print of the Binnenplaats van de Handelsbeurs in Antwerp sometime in the 19th century. During this period, Antwerp was a bustling port city, a key center for global trade and finance. The image is a snapshot into a male-dominated world. Note the architecture—the glass ceiling and sturdy columns create a sense of both openness and enclosure. The men populate the trading floor, their presence and interactions shaping the economic landscape of the city. There is a very performative nature to the rituals of the exchange. The print invites us to reflect on the stories and experiences that are often left out of such depictions of economic power. What role did women play in the city's economy? How did race and class intersect with the economic activities taking place within these walls? This image serves as a reminder of the importance of interrogating the narratives that are presented to us and seeking out alternative perspectives.