Stadhuis van Ensisheim before 1894

Charles Bernhoeft created this photogravure of the Town Hall of Ensisheim sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. The choice to depict a town hall speaks to the public role of art at this time, when photography was used as a tool of civic documentation and promotion. Bernhoeft’s image is not just a neutral record; it actively shapes how we see Ensisheim. Consider the way the architecture is framed, emphasizing its solidity and permanence. Ensisheim, located in Alsace, was a contested territory between France and Germany. Images of impressive civic buildings such as this one played a role in constructing a sense of cultural identity, whether French or German. The symmetrical composition and the classical architectural details lend the building an air of authority and timelessness, subtly reinforcing the power of the state. Understanding this image requires us to look beyond its surface. Historical archives, local histories, and studies of Alsatian cultural identity can provide further insights into the complex meanings embedded in this photograph.