Galerij van de moderne kunsten op de Exposition Nationale van 1880 in Brussel, België 1880

Ferdinand Fussen’s photograph captures the Galerie van de moderne kunsten at the Exposition Nationale of 1880 in Brussels. The photograph, likely produced using albumen print, preserves the grandeur of the exposition's iron and glass architecture, reflecting the industrial materials that defined the era. The photo's monochrome tonality emphasizes the metallic textures of the structure, underscoring the scale of the building, and the ambitions of industrial progress. The Exposition Nationale was a stage for displaying Belgium's manufacturing prowess, from textiles to ironwork. The photograph is of a moment where art and industry converged. The making of the photo itself, with its reliance on chemical processes, can be seen as a part of this equation. The production process of photography at the time involved skilled labor and chemical knowledge, which are all too easy to overlook. The photograph invites us to consider not only the art on display, but also the labor and industry that enabled its creation and exhibition. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between creative expression and the wider socio-economic context.