Woningen aan de Rue Flamande te Brugge before 1889

This photogravure pictures houses on Rue Flamande in Bruges, and was made anonymously. The photograph is printed on paper, but it captures buildings constructed of brick and stone. The image speaks to the way architecture blends artistry and utility. Stonecutting and bricklaying were highly skilled trades. Consider the amount of time and labour required to realize these structures. The repeating window designs are punctuated with gothic archways; these features of the façades reflect a process-driven approach where each element builds upon the last, demonstrating the maker’s skilled traditions. While seemingly simple, the image reminds us that even the most functional constructions contain embedded cultural values and artistic ambition. The act of photographing is itself a kind of making, one that continues to shape our understanding of architectural history.