Gezicht op het Noordeinde te Den Haag met het ruiterstandbeeld van prins Willem van Oranje 1893

This photograph of Noordeinde in The Hague, featuring the equestrian statue of Prince William of Orange, was made by Römmler & Jonas. The photograph is not just a window onto a particular time and place; it’s a product of its own moment, deeply tied to the rise of mass media. Consider the materiality of this image. The photograph’s sepia tones are the result of the chemical processes, which were cutting-edge at the time. Think about the labor involved in the production of this image. From the photographers meticulously setting up the shot to the workers in the darkroom carefully developing the print, each step reflects the industrialization of image-making. Photographs like these were not just art objects but commodities, produced and consumed as part of a burgeoning visual culture. They democratized representation, making images of faraway places and important figures accessible to a wider audience. By recognizing the interplay between materials, making, and context, we gain a richer appreciation for the photograph.