Gezicht op het Koningsplein in Brussel, gezien vanuit het park 1861 - 1870

This is a photograph of the Koningsplein in Brussels taken by BT. This photograph offers a glimpse into the 19th-century urban landscape and societal values. The Koningsplein, or Royal Square, was conceived during a period of significant social change and nation-building in Belgium. As you look at this image, consider the symbolism embedded in the architecture and urban planning. Public spaces like the Koningsplein were designed to project an image of power and order, reflecting the values of the ruling class. What isn't shown in the photograph is just as important. Who had access to these spaces, and whose stories are excluded from this carefully constructed view? Reflect on how spaces like this can serve both as symbols of national identity and as reminders of social hierarchies. The photograph encapsulates the controlled, structured vision of urban life, and what that vision leaves out.