Vier gezichten op Hamburg, afgebeeld het stadhuis en de Neuerwall, Hermannstrasse, Sülze en Hopfensackfleth 1894

Wilhelm Dreesen’s photographic print, "Four Views of Hamburg," presents a multifaceted portrait of the German city, capturing the town hall, Neuerwall, Hermannstrasse, Sülze, and Hopfensackfleth. This composite image from around the turn of the 20th century offers insight into Hamburg's urban fabric, reflecting its economic vitality as a major port city. Dreesen's composition invites us to consider how Hamburg’s identity was constructed through its architecture and infrastructure. The inclusion of both grand buildings and working-class areas suggests a negotiation of social class within the city’s self-image. To truly understand this image, research into Hamburg's urban development plans and social policies of the time would be invaluable. By contextualizing the artwork within its specific historical moment, we can begin to understand how images like this played a role in shaping civic pride and projecting Hamburg's identity to the wider world.