Exterieur van Hotel vier Jahreszeiten in München c. 1865

This is an anonymous photograph of the exterior of the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Munich. In its sharp focus and careful composition, the photograph speaks to the rising culture of tourism in Europe at the time. As photography democratized image-making, it was increasingly used to document, market and sell experiences. The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, captured here, was one such experience. This luxury hotel opened in 1858, catering to an elite clientele who sought comfort and elegance during their travels. Consider the image itself. The photographer emphasizes the grandeur of the hotel’s facade, using perspective to convey its scale and presence. The line of trees adds a touch of nature, hinting at the refined atmosphere within. By studying tourist guides, brochures, and other ephemera from the period, we can better understand how places like the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten contributed to the construction of a modern, mobile, and class-based society.