Huis aan de rand van Bodetal 1860 - 1890

Editor: Here we have Berthold Woltze’s “Huis aan de rand van Bodetal,” a gelatin-silver print likely created between 1860 and 1890. Looking at it, I’m immediately struck by the somewhat… wistful stillness. It’s almost as if the house is holding its breath amidst this vast landscape. What grabs you when you look at this photograph? Curator: Well, firstly, that "wistful stillness" – I love that. I feel it too. It's like a fairytale house plopped down in the middle of the grandest theatre set. And Woltze captured the quiet drama so beautifully! For me, it’s all about that light. The way it almost timidly illuminates the house while the mountains brood in the background... it’s telling a story, don't you think? A story about vulnerability perhaps? Does that resonate with you? Editor: Absolutely! That tension between the cozy, domestic scene and the imposing, wild nature. The house feels so small against those mountains, almost daring. And the photographic technique itself is pretty intriguing, isn't it? I'd like to know more... Curator: Indeed! Think of this as pre-Instagram photography. It was a real commitment. It's amazing how this gelatine silver print allows for a soft tonality and fine detail. There is an ethereal beauty to this realistic style. It pulls you in for a closer look, no? What might the residents of the home thought of this intruder snapping away in their front yard? What’s your take? Editor: It definitely makes you pause and wonder. The everyday and the sublime caught in one frame, with amazing light effects, almost like two opposing forces on stage. Curator: Right? And that interplay... the everyday vs. the awe-inspiring. Maybe Woltze isn't just showing us a house, but also the enduring spirit of those who choose to make a home where nature roars loudest. And that's a beautiful kind of brave, don't you think? I love Woltze's photograph even more after our discussion. Editor: I completely agree. I'll definitely carry that idea of quiet bravery with me now whenever I look at it, thanks.