Gezicht op Marburg 1850 - 1900

This photograph shows a panoramic view of Marburg, Germany, captured by M. Paar. This image evokes the visual language of the picturesque, which became popular with the rise of Romanticism. The composition emphasizes the charming character of the old architecture, while also hinting at the sublimity of nature. The church spires dominate the skyline, reminding us of the cultural authority of the church, whose historical status underpinned the social hierarchy. The rise of photography coincided with new developments in printing and distribution and these kinds of images were aimed at a growing market for tourism. The intention was to capture a view that was simultaneously familiar and impressive, an aim that echoes the marketing strategies of our own time. Historians of photography draw on a range of resources to better understand images like this, from social and economic histories to studies of visual culture.