Gezicht op het Stadhuis te Brussel 1873

Lud. Falk created this engraving of the Brussels Town Hall, or Stadhuis, at an unknown date. The image presents the building as an imposing and impressive structure, reflective of the power and authority it represents in Belgian society. The Town Hall is a grand example of Gothic architecture, a style often associated with civic pride and the assertion of municipal power, especially in the medieval and early modern periods. This choice of style carries potent historical associations. It evokes an era when towns and cities across Europe fought to establish their autonomy from feudal lords and monarchical control. The architecture emphasizes the town's self-governance and civic identity. Falk's print capitalizes on these associations, presenting the building as a proud symbol of Brussels. As art historians, we can delve deeper by studying the urban history of Brussels, the political context in which the Town Hall functioned, and the ways in which such buildings were represented in art and media. This helps us understand how the Town Hall came to embody the city's identity.