Gezicht op het 'Preussischer Gasthof', Inselsberg bij Brotterode in de Harz c. 1903 - 1908

This vintage photograph captures the 'Preussischer Gasthof' in Inselsberg near Brotterode, in the Harz region of Germany. It was taken by Geldolph Adriaan Kessler, an artist who lived through both World Wars. The photograph offers a window into early 20th-century European life, framed by the looming shadows of political change and cultural identity. The presence of national flags evokes a sense of patriotism, but also hints at the brewing nationalistic tensions that would soon engulf the continent. The tower, crowded with people, implies a collective desire to survey the landscape, to claim and define their place within it. Kessler’s photograph invites us to reflect on the complexities of identity and belonging. It reminds us that landscapes are not merely passive backdrops, but active participants in shaping our understanding of ourselves and our place in history.