Gezicht op het interieur van een passage in Berlijn, Duitsland before 1877

Curator: This photogravure, "Gezicht op het interieur van een passage in Berlijn, Duitsland," or "View of the Interior of a Passage in Berlin, Germany" as we'd say in English, dates from before 1877. Although the artist is unfortunately unknown, it now resides here at the Rijksmuseum, and offers an interesting look at the aesthetics and anxieties of late 19th-century urban life. Editor: Oh, wow, my first thought? Stage set. All those arches, the ornate detailing, the way the light falls—it feels incredibly theatrical. And the perspective almost exaggerates that effect, like looking up into a proscenium. Curator: Yes, the architectural elements create a defined hierarchy and a rather imposing visual statement. There’s a strong emphasis on verticality, reinforced by the use of columns and window placement, and this creates a sense of grandeur. Considering the period, this photograph also captures a specific burgeoning sense of modernity. These passages were not just spaces for commerce. Editor: Absolutely, and to my eye there is almost a sense of voyeurism; we are looking up to the stage as outsiders—as tourists, almost, peeking into a world carefully designed for consumption. Even if the artist remains unknown, their composition makes an unspoken commentary about observers in the modernizing world. Curator: It's about the spectacle of progress, but in a way it is designed to contain the anxieties. Notice the regularity of architectural patterns, balanced symmetry—it’s very geometric. The repetition serves a psychological function. Even though cities were becoming overwhelming spaces, the order presented in photographs like this suggests control, which makes these anxieties bearable. Editor: You know, thinking about it more, that order also hints at a deeper instability, doesn't it? Almost like a gilded cage. It reminds me of certain narratives around that period’s architecture and mindset; it’s not simply documenting but maybe masking something turbulent that churned below the surface. Curator: A potent and astute observation, especially considering the city’s trajectory in the decades to follow. This image speaks volumes, regardless of who actually captured it. Editor: Absolutely. Makes me feel differently about window shopping.