The changing image of Riga as a port city in a water-based imagery
L. Leidmane (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
I. Nevzgodin – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
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Abstract
This study analyses the visual identity of Riga as a port city through the examination of postcards from the early 20th century to current times. The study draws on a collection of over 130 postcards and examples of modern port photography, which were analyzed using a combination of visual analysis and contextual research. The results reveal a number of recurring visual motifs in the postcards, including images of ships, wharves, and industrial infrastructure, as well as more romanticized depictions of Riga’s waterfront and skyline. Overall, the study suggests that Riga’s visual identity as a port city was shaped by a complex interplay of industrialization, modernization, and cultural heritage. The findings have implications for our understanding of Riga’s history and identity, as well as for the broader study of port cities and their visual representations.