Stadhuis te Hasselt 1895

This photograph captures the Stadhuis in Hasselt with a direct, frontal view. The architectural structure divides into a clear dichotomy between the building's smooth white facade and the textured brickwork. The symmetrical placement of windows on the facade emphasizes a sense of order, which then contrasts with the irregular roofline and the adjacent building, creating a subtle visual tension. The monochrome palette mutes details and flattens the depth, drawing attention to the interplay between light and shadow across the surfaces. This allows us to consider the photograph not just as a documentation of architecture, but as an exercise in form and composition. The composition prompts us to consider how the photograph, through its balanced yet contrasting elements, destabilizes our perception of architectural photography. It invites a broader reflection on the semiotics of buildings as signs and symbols of place.