Interieur van het Amerikaanse paviljoen op de wereldtentoonstelling te Antwerpen 1894

Th. Lantin’s photograph captures the interior of the American pavilion at the Antwerp World Fair in 1894. World fairs like this were elaborate displays of national pride and technological progress, carefully curated to shape international perceptions. Looking at the image, we see a deliberately constructed scene. The pavilion is filled with products, art, and information, all intended to showcase America's industrial and cultural achievements. The very title, "American Propaganda," suggests a self-conscious awareness of the event's political dimension. It was a moment of intense nationalism, and such fairs provided an opportunity for countries to assert their place on the world stage. America, still relatively young, was eager to prove itself. To fully understand the photograph, we need to look at the historical context: the economic competition, the colonial ambitions, and the prevailing ideologies of the time. Old exhibition catalogues, newspaper articles, and government documents can help reveal the fair's intended message and its actual impact. In the end, this image is a valuable window into how nations promoted themselves and competed for influence in the late 19th century.