Houten gevel op de hoek van de Nosestraat in Antwerpen 1868

Jean Théodore Joseph Linnig created this etching of a wooden facade on the corner of Nosestraat in Antwerp, Belgium, sometime in the 19th century. Linnig captures a seemingly ordinary street scene, but it offers a glimpse into the social and economic life of the city at that time. Notice the architecture – the buildings with their distinct facades reflect the urban landscape and the prosperity of the merchant class. The presence of figures engaged in daily activities tells of the social dynamics of the city, the exchange of goods, and the interactions between people. Antwerp was a major port and commercial hub, and that economic activity is represented in this scene. As historians, we can delve deeper by studying old maps, census records, and trade statistics to reconstruct the world that Linnig captured. By doing so, we gain insight into the relationship between art, society, and the urban experience.