Huis aan het Andreasplatz in Hildesheim 1890

Curator: This gelatin-silver print, titled "Huis aan het Andreasplatz in Hildesheim", was captured around 1890 by the studio of Römmler & Jonas. Editor: Wow, it looks like a stage set! Stark and angular, all dark timbers and towering roof, like it’s about to tell a Grimm fairy tale. I get this uneasy, storybook vibe right off the bat. Curator: Observe how the photographers have employed a central perspective, positioning the building frontally to emphasize its architectural features. The timber framing and the steep roofline are clearly articulated, which reflects a prevalent interest in preserving and documenting historical architecture during that period. Editor: The way the light hits the different levels… it's almost like a layered cake of shadows. And the figures down below are like tiny afterthoughts, swallowed by the scale of the building. I’d wager a flock of ravens would have looked equally natural. Curator: The gelatin-silver process would have enabled them to produce prints with a high degree of detail and tonal range, allowing for the subtle textures of the wood and stone to be captured, further contributing to the image's overall clarity. It is a study in light and form. Editor: I wonder what secrets that house holds, eh? There's such a weighty silence radiating from the photograph. A stillness. It reminds me of that old saying – every stone has a story. You know, a home from home. It must have seen all of Hildesheim go by in all its seasons. Curator: Indeed. Beyond its technical qualities, the photograph is a historical artifact, providing insight into the urban environment and architectural aesthetics of the late 19th century. A document reflecting particular social concerns about urban identity and preservation. Editor: Looking at it now, the image manages to straddle both an invitation and a warning, which probably means I wouldn’t be too keen on calling to ask about residing in it. And all the more tragic because I'd wager its cellar will hold a fine selection of Rieslings. Curator: Well, looking at the formal arrangement, the print presents a stark clarity that seems typical of much commercial architectural photography from the late 19th century. A blending of technique, context and narrative I find continually compelling. Editor: Yes, it’s made me think about how much buildings are characters too—silent witnesses to our little dramas. Each stone a verse. And this house, specifically, probably remembers details most of the town forgot long ago.