Pottenbakker aan het werk in een werkplaats before 1899

This photogravure by Désiré de Clercq depicts a potter at work in a workshop. Though the time it was made is unclear, this image appears in an article titled "Is Photography Art?" which explores the status of photography as an art form at the time. De Clercq's work provides a glimpse into the lives of working-class individuals during a period of rapid industrialization. The image frames the potter in a humble workshop, possibly illuminated by natural light through a window, which evokes a sense of quiet labor. The soft focus of the photogravure emphasizes the textures and forms of the potter's hands. Such imagery can be related to the broader socio-economic narratives of the time, highlighting the dignity and skill involved in manual labor. While the image is seemingly apolitical, it subtly acknowledges the contribution of the working class to society's fabric. It invites reflection on our perception of work and the value placed on individual craftsmanship versus industrial production.