Exterieur van het woonhuis Hier ist in den Kater en de Kat te Brussel 1875

Alexandre de Blochouse made this photograph in 1875, documenting the exterior of a building in Brussels. It’s a silver print, a process that was then at the cutting edge of image-making technology, allowing for a high level of detail and tonal range. The photograph captures the architecture of the time, revealing much about the industrial and economic landscape in which it was made. The building’s façade is a testament to the labor involved in extracting, transporting, and carving stone. Its design reflects the aspirations of a society embracing industrial progress. It prompts reflection on the socio-economic context of architectural creation. The construction of such buildings involved a network of skilled craftsmen and laborers. It serves as a reminder of the ways in which art and architecture are intertwined with broader issues of labor, politics, and consumption.