Gezicht op de Kathedraal van Sint-Michiel en Sint-Goedele in Brussel before 1884

Curator: Here we have an albumen print offering a view of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, dating from before 1884. It's part of a larger collection, evidenced by the aged page it's presented on. Editor: My immediate thought is grandeur. The perspective emphasizes the cathedral’s height, making it feel both imposing and almost ethereal against the muted background. I see centuries of cultural aspirations rising toward the sky. Curator: Precisely. What I find fascinating is the albumen print process itself. The preparation of the paper with egg whites, the careful development to achieve this tonal range…it speaks to the immense labor invested even in image production at this time. Each print would have unique characteristics influenced by material variables and the photographer’s technique. Editor: And look at the symbolism encoded in the architecture. The soaring spires, the intricate tracery – it all points towards divine transcendence and medieval aspirations. It speaks of an age when the sacred was made manifest in the physical world, literally built into the stones of the city. Curator: It’s also revealing of social dynamics, the urban development of Brussels, and how such structures impacted daily life. Editor: Absolutely, a focal point and testament to civic and religious authority. And thinking about albumen as a medium, how light-sensitive materials captured light impacting social perceptions, collective memories… a shared experience is subtly recorded. Curator: This work reveals a network of craftsmanship. Not just the building, but the creation of the print itself and the economic engine driving its creation. It wasn’t easily accessible at the time. The question arises, how does something like this enter circulation and who has access? Editor: And beyond simple document, what impact does its existence, its consumption, its iconography, its existence as an art object have? This one is a compelling historical document layered with meaning. Curator: Indeed, the layering reveals the interplay of commerce, craft and image making to create meaning. Editor: A fascinating blend of the earthly and the aspirational, captured through a delicate and enduring process.