Achterzijde van het Berliner Stadtschloss, aan de Spree 1892

This photograph of the Berliner Stadtschloss was taken by Friedrich Albert Schwartz, though the precise date remains unknown. The photographic process itself is key to understanding this image. Photography in the 19th century involved a complex alchemy of chemistry, light, and time. The final sepia tone we see here results from chemical development, fixing silver salts onto paper. This was a labor-intensive process, requiring expertise in darkroom techniques. But the choice of subject is important. It is of course the Prussian Royal Palace, seen from the Spree river. The building's formidable masonry speaks to the immense labor required for its construction. These kinds of photographs allowed for the mass dissemination of images of power and prestige. Looking at this photograph, we need to think about not only the image itself but also the means of its production and how this intersected with the political and economic structures of the time. It reminds us that all images, whether paintings or photographs, are constructed realities, shaped by the materials, processes, and social context in which they are made.