Gezicht op een zaal in het stadhuis van Bremen 1890

This albumen print shows a view of a hall in Bremen's Town Hall, taken by Louis Oskar Grienwaldt. The image gives us a glimpse into the architecture and societal structure of the time. The hall, with its gothic windows, suggests a space designed to inspire awe and reinforce the power of the ruling class. What we see here is more than just a room, it is a stage set for the performance of governance and power. Consider the absence of people in the photograph. It invites us to imagine the figures who would have occupied this space, likely men of privilege, and their roles in shaping the city's history. The image also reveals a certain cultural identity. The architecture speaks to a specific European tradition, while the display of flags suggests national pride and perhaps even a hint of imperial ambition. This photograph, while seemingly a simple depiction of a room, opens up questions about who has access to power, whose stories are told, and whose are left out of the frame.