Gezicht op het stadhuis van Brussel 1857 - 1863

This stereoscopic photograph of the Brussels Town Hall was made by L. Fizanne in Paris, likely in the mid-19th century. Stereoscopic photographs like this one were a popular form of entertainment and documentation during the Victorian era. This particular image presents the viewer with an idealized vision of civic pride through its depiction of the Hôtel de Ville. The carefully composed shot emphasizes the grandeur and architectural detail of the building, while the stereoscopic effect would have enhanced the sense of realism for viewers. In the 19th century, the rise of photography coincided with the growth of cities and the consolidation of national identities. Architectural photography played a role in shaping public perceptions of urban spaces, and this image would have contributed to Brussels' image as a modern, well-governed capital city. To understand this photograph more fully, we might turn to urban planning documents or newspaper articles of the period. Such sources can tell us how this building and its image functioned within the wider social and institutional structures of its time.