Gezicht op het stadhuis en de Grote Markt in Antwerpen 1866 - 1870

Curator: This striking photograph captures a view of the Stadhuis, or City Hall, and Grote Markt in Antwerp. It was taken between 1866 and 1870 by Jules Hippolyte Quéval and is now held in the Rijksmuseum collection. It's quite fascinating because it combines photographic print with some kind of coloured pencil intervention. Editor: The immediate sense is one of austere grandeur. The square feels so vast and somewhat lifeless. There’s an interesting tension between the imposing architecture and that relatively empty space. It seems to really highlight the authority and power embodied by those buildings. Curator: The meticulous detailing achieved through the photographic process, even enhanced by hand, provides tangible insights into the city’s physical structure. Note the deliberate framing and composition—likely influenced by Quéval’s intentions for commercial distribution and consumption. The texture of the stone is fascinating. Editor: Absolutely. The deliberate depiction prompts us to consider the prevailing political climate of the time. What message was Quéval aiming to convey about Antwerp's identity? It certainly presents an image of a powerful civic center. It seems more than a picture, somehow becoming almost propagandistic. Curator: Perhaps it's tied to burgeoning nationalistic sentiments present during this period? Photographers often become chroniclers of social progress, technological achievements, or patriotic displays. Consider too that photographic prints became important commodities that influenced visual culture. Editor: The muted tones draw attention to the subtle shifts in light and shadow that suggest a specific moment within the urban landscape. The presence of the figures feels spectral and further emphasize the relationship between the state and the individual. They underscore the societal narratives at play here. This makes me want to find out more about urbanism at this moment in time. Curator: Exactly, the image highlights not only the physical makeup but also social, economic, and even political threads inherent in the artwork’s existence. Editor: Considering those various threads is really enriching when looking at a piece like this. Thanks for walking me through your point of view!