Expositie van Belgische objecten tijdens de wereldtentoonstelling te Antwerpen 1894

Th. Lantin made this print of the Belgian section of the Antwerp World Fair of 1894. These fairs were a nineteenth-century phenomenon, public displays of national identity through industry and art. The photograph reveals something of the social and cultural values of the period. Belgium was then a relatively new nation, keen to establish its cultural credentials on the world stage. The architecture is monumental and classical, a style associated with wealth and permanence. The photograph also shows us how carefully curated these displays were, with the objects arranged to present a particular vision of Belgian identity. To understand this image fully, we can consult archival material about the planning of the exhibition, as well as contemporary accounts of its reception. By doing so, we can appreciate how this image acted as a tool for shaping public perceptions of a nation.