Paleis van Justitie in Brussel, gezien over daken c. 1883 - 1900

Gustave Hermans made this photograph of the Paleis van Justitie in Brussels, using a camera and darkroom techniques. The sepia tone is a direct consequence of the photographic chemistry of the time. The print gives us a clear sense of the building's immense scale and neoclassical architectural style. Yet, as a photograph, it also invites us to consider the labor involved in its creation, especially when compared to painting or drawing. The darkroom process, the careful composition, and the sheer skill required to capture such detail all speak to Hermans' expertise. Photography in the 19th century was not just about documentation. It was a cutting-edge technology, tied to wider social issues of industrialization, labor, and class. The ease with which photographs could be reproduced democratized image-making. So, next time you look at an early photograph, think about the interplay between technology, labor, and art. They are deeply intertwined.