Exterieur van Huis Het Zeepaard aan de Wijnstraat 59 in Dordrecht c. 1875 - 1900

A.J.M. Mulder captured the exterior of Huis Het Zeepaard in Dordrecht, Netherlands, using gelatin silver print, a process popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This photograph offers a glimpse into the architecture and urban life of the Netherlands during a time of significant social change. The narrow, multi-story buildings reflect the efficient use of space characteristic of Dutch cities, where trade and commerce were central. The large windows, and the figures peering from them, hint at the lives lived within these structures. Mulder’s choice to document this building can be seen as a desire to preserve the cultural identity and history of Dordrecht. The emotional resonance of the image lies in its ability to evoke a sense of place and time, inviting us to reflect on the everyday lives of its inhabitants. The image serves as a social record, capturing the nuanced interplay between public and private life.