Twee afbeeldingen van mensen op de trap voor een huis, afgebeeld een dienstmeid en een jongen en een groep van vier vrouwen en een kind 1894

Here we see a photographic print by Wilhelm Dreesen, capturing two distinct social scenes outside residential homes. In both, the staircase serves not merely as a functional element, but as a stage for social hierarchies. Consider the humble maid on the left, framed by the home’s Gothic archway, juxtaposed with the women on the right, positioned on a more classical terrace. This architectural element, the staircase, transcends its mere function, becoming a symbolic representation of status. The motif of the staircase echoes throughout art history—think of Renaissance depictions of the Annunciation, where stairs often suggest a divine ascent or descent. The arrangement of figures invites a psychoanalytic interpretation, the positioning of the figures evoking collective memories and subconscious associations with class and domesticity. It is a poignant reminder of how symbols persist, adapting and resurfacing across time and culture.