Feestzaal met gedekte tafels c. 1888 - 1900

Editor: This print, titled "Feestzaal met gedekte tafels" or "Festive hall with set tables", was created between 1888 and 1900 by Sébah & Joaillier. It's fascinating to look at an opulent hall prepared for a feast in Constantinople. What do you make of all of the objects placed throughout the composition? Curator: Notice how the hall is adorned with garlands, and flags; and of course, flowers. It all speaks to ritual, ceremony, and the act of gathering. We also cannot ignore how the arrangement and organization speak to ideas about social hierarchy. How do you think the idea of performance shapes this image? Editor: Performance... interesting. I suppose all of these meticulously arranged items highlight how this gathering is for show, not simply sustenance. So, beyond the surface opulence, could the floral arrangements or chandeliers symbolize particular meanings? Curator: Potentially! Certain flowers carry different cultural associations. Also, consider that light, especially represented by chandeliers, has historically symbolized knowledge, divinity, and illumination, which plays a central role in understanding the feast in a metaphorical sense. What does it say about society through its food? Editor: I never would have picked up on those readings of the imagery without you pointing them out. Thank you! Curator: You’re welcome! It makes you realize just how much more these images tell when considering a holistic perspective, thinking through symbols, tradition, culture, and psychology.