Gezicht op de Royal Exchange in Manchester before 1878

This photograph captures Alfred Brothers' view of the Royal Exchange in Manchester, a building embodying the spirit of commerce. Dominating the facade are classical columns, a motif reaching back to ancient Greece and Rome, where they symbolized order, reason, and civic virtue. Such architectural symbols are not static, though. Consider how the column, once an emblem of temples and agoras, has been adapted for the modern marketplace. It serves as a potent reminder of humanity’s enduring pursuit of knowledge, progress, and prosperity. The classical architectural elements evoke the past to imbue commercial endeavors with dignity and permanence. This association taps into deep-seated cultural memories, subconsciously elevating the act of trade to something noble and timeless. Thus, Brothers' photograph captures more than just a building; it encapsulates how we continually reinvent symbols, reinvesting them with new meaning while echoing the whispers of history.