Gezicht op de Groenmarkt met stadhuis in Den Haag c. 1870

Editor: We're looking at "Gezicht op de Groenmarkt met stadhuis in Den Haag," a photograph taken around 1870 by Andries Jager. The monochromatic tones give the cityscape a very historical, almost sepia feel, making it seem like a peek into a different era. How does this image speak to you? Curator: It’s fascinating how photography in the 19th century shaped our understanding of the world, isn't it? Before mass-produced imagery, places like the Groenmarkt in The Hague existed primarily in textual descriptions and painted representations, mostly for the wealthy elite. This photograph democratizes that experience, but also actively participates in constructing an image of Dutch national identity rooted in an imagined past. Consider who had access to photography at this time. Whose stories are prioritized in creating these public archives? Editor: That’s a great point! It is presented as this neutral snapshot, but you’re right, photography itself was limited by socio-economic access. So what was the significance of documenting cityscapes like this one at the time? Curator: Think about the rise of nationalism in the 19th century. Cityscapes were tools for forging a shared visual heritage and instilling civic pride. But beyond this overt function, images such as this contributed to the public image of a well-ordered state. The photograph normalizes particular architectural and social arrangements while obscuring anything that disrupts that narrative, doesn’t it? What seems mundane to us today might have served a very deliberate purpose in the collective imagination of the time. Editor: I see! So, while it appears to be a simple recording of a place, it's actually contributing to a larger cultural and political project. I’ll never look at historical photographs the same way again. Curator: Precisely! It’s always worth thinking about what the image includes and what it strategically leaves out.