Gezicht op de Sint-Jacques kapel in Bazel before 1899

This vintage photograph of the Sint-Jacques kapel in Basel offers a glimpse into the intersection of faith and place. Though Hans Speiser's personal history remains elusive, the image itself speaks to broader cultural contexts. Consider, for example, the chapel itself, a structure that served a community. Its presence signifies more than just religious observance, it was a site of gathering, reflection, and perhaps even resistance. The choice to capture this chapel invites us to think about the power of religious institutions in shaping social norms and individual identities. Think, too, about the act of photography itself during this time. Who had access to this technology, and what stories were deemed worthy of preservation? The choice to document this chapel speaks to prevailing cultural values and the desire to preserve certain aspects of history. The image is a reminder of the complex ways in which our identities are shaped by the places we inhabit. What does it mean to belong to a place, and how do structures like this chapel contribute to that sense of belonging?