Gezicht op sluizen in de omgeving Leiden 1850 - 1900

This albumen print by Jan Goedeljee captures a view of the sluices near Leiden. Consider the way photography, as a process, intersects with the industrial infrastructure depicted. Photography itself was rapidly industrializing in the 19th century, with new chemical and mechanical processes allowing for mass production. The albumen process, using egg whites to bind the light-sensitive chemicals to the paper, was itself a complex and somewhat alchemical procedure. The image emphasizes the materiality of the sluices – the heavy stone, the precisely fitted timbers. These were built through collective labor, involving many hands and a deep knowledge of materials and construction techniques. The very act of capturing this scene through photography transforms the way we perceive the environment. The labor involved is less apparent; instead we focus on the aesthetic qualities of the image. Paying attention to the materials and methods behind both the sluices and the photograph allows us to consider the social and economic context of their creation, challenging any divide between useful infrastructure and fine art.