Exterieur van het gebouw op Boulevard de la Senne 37 te Brussel 1875

This is Alexandre de Blochouse’s photograph, "Exterior of the building on Boulevard de la Senne 37 in Brussels". Though undated, the print is from 1875, a period of immense social change across Europe. De Blochouse's work, like this photograph, must be understood within the context of rapid urbanization and social stratification in 19th-century Brussels. The Boulevard de la Senne, now Anspachlaan, was a site of significant urban renewal, reflecting the city's aspirations for modernity and progress. This image captures the stark realities of class division inherent in urban development. The architecture itself, with its ornate facades and imposing structure, speaks to the wealth and privilege associated with its inhabitants. The boulevard was not just a physical space but a stage upon which social inequalities were performed and reinforced. This photograph, therefore, is not merely a depiction of a building but an artifact deeply embedded in the social and political landscape of its time. It prompts us to consider how spaces reflect and perpetuate societal hierarchies.