Fotoreproductie van een tekening, voorstellende een plattegrond van Brussel before 1854

This photomechanical print by Bisson Frères depicts a bird's-eye view of Brussels. It presents the city's layout with a clarity that speaks to the period's interest in urban planning and control. Produced in the mid-19th century, this image reflects a time of significant urban transformation in Europe. Brussels, like many cities, was undergoing modernization, with new boulevards and buildings reshaping its social landscape. The creation of such images served both practical and ideological purposes, providing tools for governance and reinforcing a sense of progress. To fully understand this image, we must delve into the urban history of Brussels and examine the role of photography in documenting and shaping perceptions of urban space. Archives of city planning, photographic collections, and period publications all can provide valuable insights. Ultimately, this image reminds us that even seemingly objective representations are embedded in specific social and institutional contexts.