Gezicht op de hoek van de koepel van het Paleis van Justitie in Brussel, België before 1894

Curator: Here we have a compelling, monochromatic print of the Palace of Justice in Brussels, dating from before 1894. The artist remains anonymous, and this work seems to capture a moment of architectural grandeur. Editor: Wow, immediately, I'm struck by this overwhelming sense of order and imposing permanence. It's all these powerful verticals—those magnificent columns, the edges of the stones... they point upwards, exuding almost aggressive, legalistic authority. What a monolith! Curator: It’s neoclassical architecture at its most potent. Notice how the photographic medium itself enhances this impression. The play of light and shadow seems to amplify the depth and weight of the building. These classical elements certainly symbolize justice, balance and the immutability of law. Editor: Absolutely! Look at the way the columns recall the ancient temples—evoking all those associations with Roman law, with civic duty... but there's also something else. See how cold it looks? Like a fortress designed to keep everyone at bay. Makes you wonder, who is all that order *really* serving? I can almost imagine Kafka pacing in front of the building trying to enter. Curator: That’s a striking point. It makes me wonder if the artist meant for there to be this tension between aspiration and alienation? The neoclassical style can at times feel devoid of life, or at least emotionally stilted. But you're right, these grand symbols of justice are never neutral. They speak to, or maybe at, the public, whether we want them to or not. Editor: Exactly. It is so visually clean that, as you were saying, any crack is almost intentional. Makes you question your beliefs of fairness, and forces us to reckon with all these symbols represent, or perhaps misrepresent, in reality. A photo of an institution asking you "what do you see in me?". Curator: An artwork like this provides a crucial dialogue. Whether it inspires or challenges, its presence continues to remind us about our societal pillars, that it continues to evoke responses even centuries later, only adds another layer of questions on itself. Editor: Nicely said, well, this conversation gave me a new point of view to look into while staring at such architecture, with symbols embedded to what the core should really be like. Thanks!