Kantoor van de wethouder van de burgerlijke staat in het stadhuis van Brussel before 1898

This photograph by H. Waeles captures the office of the civil status alderman in Brussels' town hall. The scene is dominated by symbols of authority and order, from the rigid symmetry of the paneled walls to the orderly arrangement of chairs around a central table. Consider the motif of the chair. It’s not merely a seat but a symbol of power, echoing the thrones of antiquity. Think of ancient Egyptian pharaohs or Roman emperors, their authority visually reinforced by elaborate chairs and thrones. The chair, therefore, transcends its functional purpose, carrying with it a weight of historical and cultural significance. Here, the chairs arranged around the table suggest a space for discussion and deliberation, yet also define hierarchy. Such arrangements tap into our collective memory of power dynamics, triggering subconscious associations with governance. The very architecture and furniture serve to reinforce the alderman's authority, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Observe how this symbol of authority has recurred, transformed, and continues to carry echoes of its past through history.