Branding bij het Pointe de Rauba-Capèu bij Nice c. 1870 - 1900

This photograph captures a scene at Pointe de Rauba-Capèu near Nice, made by the Neurdein Frères using photographic processes that were cutting-edge for their time. Photography in this era was a complex alchemy, a blend of technical skill, chemical knowledge, and artistic vision. The gelatin silver process used here involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive emulsion, exposing it in a large format camera, and then developing and printing the image. The tonal range of the print, from the dark, craggy rocks to the frothy, almost ethereal waves, speaks to the photographer’s mastery over this process. While photography is now seen as an art form, its early days were closely tied to industry and documentation. The production of photographic materials, from the glass plates to the chemicals, was a rapidly growing industry. Here, the wave is captured at a single moment in time, an objective index of reality. Yet, the photographer chose the precise moment to press the shutter, capturing the power of nature, transforming it into a commodity for viewing and consumption. Considering this image, we are reminded that even the most seemingly straightforward representation involves a complex interplay of materials, labor, and social context.