Gezicht op het vleeshuis en de stadhuistoren te Brussel 1852 - 1878

François Stroobant created this print, "View of the Meat House and the Town Hall Tower in Brussels," sometime in the 19th century. Stroobant, born in Belgium, was known for his cityscapes and landscapes, capturing the architectural and environmental character of his time. This image provides a glimpse into the urban fabric of Brussels, a city undergoing significant transformation in the 1800s. The Meat House, a former guildhall, and the Town Hall tower represent established institutions against a backdrop of evolving social structures. The figures populating the street, with their varied attire, hint at the different social classes navigating this shared space. Stroobant presents us not just with buildings, but with a stage upon which the daily lives of Brussels’ inhabitants unfold. The work serves as a historical record and an invitation to reflect on the ongoing negotiation between tradition and change in the urban landscape.