Gezicht op het stadhuis te Leiden 1879 - 1915

Curator: Looking at this photograph, the past feels close, doesn’t it? This is Jan Goedeljee's "View of the Town Hall in Leiden," likely taken between 1879 and 1915. It's a gelatin silver print, capturing the city's heart. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by how still and almost dreamlike it appears. The sepia tones lend a sense of gentle melancholy, and the imposing facade looms with quiet grandeur. Curator: Absolutely, there's a certain theatricality to it, almost staged. You have to remember that civic buildings of the time were designed to project power and stability. Think about what message it’s sending to people, not just then, but even today! Editor: The architectural details are wonderful – all those intricate window panes and decorative elements reaching for the sky! It's not just a record; it's a very deliberate representation. Almost like the photographer wanted to preserve Leiden's soul itself. Curator: And indeed, photography during this period, while relatively new, was rapidly changing how we thought about documentation, record keeping, and history. Goedeljee is taking on that role: recording the architecture of Leiden. The formal arrangement emphasizes the civic presence, presenting this solid edifice, immutable despite time. Editor: But isn’t that idea of capturing the "truth" or "essence" of a place inherently subjective? He has made his choices about lighting, angle, framing—everything contributes to our interpretation. I can feel his influence and wonder, but also his political statement to show off civic buildings like this. Curator: Definitely! It reminds me of how public spaces are often portrayed – clean, empty, highlighting their permanence. Missing are the everyday interactions and people who truly give life to a place. Maybe that contributes to that melancholy mood you sensed earlier? Editor: Exactly! It’s an empty stage, waiting for the players, while whispering of centuries of performances gone by. Though somber, its sepia tones create a sense of reflection and wonder. It makes you imagine what that history really was. Curator: A beautiful way to look at this piece – seeing it as both a reflection of its time and a trigger for our own reflections on history, power, and how we build our civic narratives. Editor: Couldn't have said it better myself. This has been truly enlightening.