Gezicht op de residentie van Wm, H. Anderson te Belvidere before 1892

This black and white photograph shows the residence of William H. Anderson in Belvidere, and was captured by an anonymous photographer. In the late 19th century, when this image was likely taken, the architecture of one's home served as a powerful signifier of social status and personal identity. The grandiosity of Anderson's residence speaks volumes about his position within society. Yet, this image also prompts us to consider the labor and resources required to maintain such a property, implicitly raising questions about class and economic disparity. What was Anderson's relationship to the workers who built and maintained this home? Whose labor is obscured in this image of wealth and prosperity? Ultimately, this photograph offers a glimpse into a specific historical moment, inviting us to reflect on how homes are not just personal spaces, but also reflections of broader societal structures and power dynamics.