Gezicht op een kasteel before 1891

This photolithograph, made by an anonymous artist, depicts a view of a castle. The image creates meaning through its visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations of power and wealth. Made in the late 19th or early 20th century, likely in Central Europe, this print speaks to the culture of romanticism and historicism that influenced the architecture and visual arts of the time. These revivalist movements looked to the past for inspiration, often idealizing feudal social structures. The castle itself, as the seat of aristocratic power, became a potent symbol of national identity and tradition. The production of such images was also closely tied to the growth of tourism and the rise of mass media. Such prints could be collected and disseminated, contributing to the construction of a shared cultural heritage. As historians, our role is to understand the social and institutional contexts in which art is made. By examining sources, we can better understand the meaning of this image as something that is contingent on its social and institutional context.