Haard in de voorkamer op de begane grond van Hotel Merghelynck in Ieper, België before 1894

Here's a photographic print capturing a fireplace in the Hotel Merghelynck, Ypres, Belgium, documented by Hector Heylbroeck. The fireplace itself is made from a highly polished stone, likely marble, exhibiting the inherent qualities of weight and permanence. Marble is, of course, a luxury material that is suggestive of wealth. It would have been quarried, transported, carved, and polished, all labor-intensive processes that contributed to its high cost. The surrounding decor, from the patterned wallpaper to the ornate mirror above the mantelpiece, continues this theme. Consider how the aesthetics of this interior are tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The photograph freezes a moment in time, allowing us to reflect on the labor and resources required to create such an environment, and how these spaces reflect the social hierarchy of their time. The photograph reminds us of the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.