Gezicht op het stadhuis van Alkmaar 1864 - 1900

This albumen print, created by the French photographic studio Léon & Lévy, captures the town hall of Alkmaar, Netherlands. Produced during the late 19th century, it is a significant artifact reflecting the rise of photography as a tool for documenting and disseminating images of urban spaces. Consider the cultural context of the time. Photography was not merely a neutral recording device. It was intertwined with burgeoning tourism and the creation of national and civic identities. The choice to focus on the town hall, a symbol of local governance and civic pride, suggests an interest in presenting Alkmaar as a modern, well-established city. Analyzing photographs like this involves considering how the photographer frames their subject, and what ideological work is being done in that framing. Historical archives, city records, and studies of photographic practices in the 19th century, all help us understand this image. Ultimately, the meaning of this artwork is tied to the historical circumstances of its creation.