Bijgebouw van Kasteel Cleydael te Aartselaar before 1889

This is an anonymous black-and-white print of the outbuildings of Cleydael Castle in Aartselaar, Belgium. Though undated, the print likely originates from the late 19th or early 20th century, judging by the printing process. The image presents a stone structure, described in the accompanying text as simple yet possessing character, with a large cornice and windows adorned with leaded glass. The castle itself, with its outbuildings, represents a specific organization of space tied to social hierarchy and economic production. The composition emphasizes the order and symmetry valued by the landed gentry. Consider how the architecture reflects the values of the elite who commissioned and inhabited such estates. How does this image serve to legitimize their social position? Historical records such as estate inventories and family archives would reveal more about the castle's inhabitants and their relationship to the surrounding community. This image is less a neutral record than a cultural artifact, speaking volumes about power, property, and representation.