Gezicht op het Albertinum aan het Square des Places in Fribourg 1897

Editor: This gelatin-silver print, "Gezicht op het Albertinum aan het Square des Places in Fribourg" by Ernest Lorson, dated 1897, presents a stately cityscape. I’m struck by the almost performative nature of the image—the flags, the statue, the figures in procession… What’s your take on this particular slice of Fribourg’s history? Curator: It’s crucial to unpack this ‘performance’ you've astutely identified. The Albertinum, a theological faculty, wasn't merely a building, but a stage for projecting power and piety. Lorson's lens captures a moment ripe with political and social undertones. Consider the late 19th century – a period marked by increasing secularization and the rise of nation-states. How does this image reinforce or perhaps subtly question religious authority within that context? Editor: It’s interesting you mention secularization. The statue feels like a deliberate statement of faith in a changing world, perhaps even a reactionary one. What can we glean from the decision to photograph it this way? Curator: Precisely! Photography itself was a relatively new medium, often used to document and celebrate progress. But here, Lorson employs it to capture an institution clinging to tradition. The very act of photographing it becomes a political one. Notice how the composition seems to elevate the Albertinum, literally placing it on a pedestal. What message does this send about the institution's perceived importance and influence? Editor: So it’s not just a picture of a building, but a commentary on its place in society. I see now that the ‘performance’ extends beyond what's happening *in* the frame, but also how Lorson chooses to frame it. Curator: Absolutely. This photograph becomes a lens through which we can examine the power dynamics at play in late 19th century Fribourg and beyond. Examining the artist’s choices helps us see not just the what, but also the why and how this photograph continues to resonate today. Editor: I’ll never look at old cityscape photos the same way again! Thank you for showing me the complexities hidden beneath the surface of what seems to be just a simple photograph.