Gezicht op een huizenrij in St. Blasien met rechts het pand van boekhandel J. Weissenberger 1890 - 1910

Editor: So, this photograph is titled "Gezicht op een huizenrij in St. Blasien met rechts het pand van boekhandel J. Weissenberger," taken sometime between 1890 and 1910. It depicts a street scene in St. Blasien, focusing on a row of houses with a bookstore. The level of detail is impressive; I wonder what life was like in the late 19th century? What historical context might be shaping how we understand it now? Curator: That's a great starting point. I find myself drawn to the image's almost idealized depiction of a European town. This period saw rapid industrialization, which led to both progress and social upheaval. Looking at this photograph, though, you see very little evidence of that upheaval. It speaks, instead, to the bourgeois desire for order and beauty. Editor: Do you think the presence of the bookstore has any particular significance? Curator: Absolutely. In the late 19th century, bookstores were vital public spaces, sites for intellectual exchange and the dissemination of new ideas. This photograph presents the bookstore not just as a commercial establishment, but as a cornerstone of civilized society, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and culture within the community. Editor: That makes me think about who this image was intended for. Was it trying to attract visitors? Curator: Precisely. These kinds of images, circulated as prints, also performed a function in constructing and disseminating certain narratives about place. St. Blasien, in this view, becomes a haven of culture and beauty, ideal for tourism. What kind of social values do you think are on display? Editor: Definitely a sense of stability, order, and an appreciation for the finer things. Seeing it as propaganda for tourism flips my original feeling of nostalgia for the past. Curator: Exactly, these photos serve multiple roles and can reflect a range of motivations behind their creation and circulation. Editor: This has completely changed my understanding! Now, I see how much social and political history is packed into a seemingly simple street view. Thanks.