Gezicht op het Belfort van Gent 1873 - 1890

Editor: This is an interesting, sepia-toned stereo photograph entitled "Gezicht op het Belfort van Gent," placing it sometime between 1873 and 1890. I’m struck by how empty the streets are, giving a real sense of scale to the belfry in the distance. What do you make of this image? Curator: The ghostly quality really speaks to the technology of the time. It’s not just a view of a city, but a document of early photographic processes – the printing, the developing, the choices that led to this particular image. Think about the labour involved: from the sourcing of materials to the photographer setting up their equipment, a large format camera to capture the architectural scene before meticulously developing prints of consistent quality and aesthetic across multiple examples. These were circulated widely, shaping perceptions of urban space. Editor: So it’s less about the artistic interpretation and more about understanding the practical production behind it? Curator: Exactly. And considering its commercial nature and the industrialization that photography enabled. Stereo cards, sold and collected, they reflect emerging leisure activities and the commodification of sight itself. It challenges us to think of how labor, materiality and distribution are integral to what is viewed as art and what isn't, don't you think? Editor: That's really interesting, especially how the process itself shapes our understanding. So the 'realism' style isn't just about visual accuracy. It's about… Curator: How industrial processes redefine representation and consumption. How are ideas of the authentic visual experience being manufactured and spread? Editor: That really shifts my perspective. I went from seeing a nice photograph of a city to understanding a historical network of labour and distribution, influencing urban perception. Thank you. Curator: It's a pleasure to open up new avenues of investigation with you!