Gebouwen aan het Binnenhof tijdens de restauratie 1900

This photograph shows the Binnenhof in The Hague during restoration, though the photographer is unknown. During this period, the Netherlands was undergoing significant transformation, grappling with its colonial past and solidifying its national identity. The photograph captures a moment of transition, a space caught between preservation and change. This theme of transformation also reflects the sociopolitical atmosphere of the time. In this context, the restoration of a national monument like the Binnenhof can be seen as a symbolic act, reinforcing a particular vision of Dutch history and cultural heritage. Who gets to decide what is worth preserving, and what stories are told through these reconstructions? The image offers a glimpse into the layered nature of history. It reminds us that our understanding of the past is constantly under construction, shaped by the values and priorities of the present.