Gezicht op het stadhuis aan de Grote Markt in Brussel before 1899

This anonymous work presents a view of the City Hall on the Grote Markt in Brussels through a monochrome lens. The composition is dominated by the imposing structure of the City Hall, which rises vertically, its gothic spire piercing the sky. The building's facade is intricately detailed, a play of light and shadow across its many windows and sculptures. A semiotic study reveals the architectural elements as signs of civic pride and historical continuity. The very texture of the stone, rendered in shades of gray, speaks to the durability and timelessness of the institution it houses. Consider how the photograph, despite its apparent realism, shapes our perception. It reduces a complex reality to a set of structured visual signs, inviting us to decode the values and power relations embedded within the urban landscape. The photograph becomes a cultural artifact.