Huizen aan het Römerberg in Frankfurt am Main 1900

This photograph shows houses on the Römerberg in Frankfurt am Main, and was made by Delizy in the late 19th or early 20th century. The Römerberg was Frankfurt's old town center, and it would have been a recognizable and popular location for souvenir photography. This view captures the architecture of the buildings, and gives us a snapshot of what everyday life looked like. Notice the signs above the shops; by whom they are made for, and what stories do these tell? Photography in this period was on the rise as a popular tool for documenting cityscapes and for creating a sense of place. The Rijksmuseum and other institutions serve as archives, preserving this cultural heritage for study. Delizy's photograph reminds us that every image is a product of its time, reflecting the values and interests of both the photographer and the society in which they lived.