Brug en palm Possibly 1939

These photographic prints showing garden views in Germany have been taken by an anonymous photographer. They were recently acquired by the Rijksmuseum. What is striking here is the way in which the exotic palm tree is contrasted with the strong architectural forms in the background. Consider the cultural references at play: the palm tree, a symbol of tropical paradise and colonial power, set against the backdrop of a distinctly European setting. The name ‘Ostseeminnd’ is written between the photos. The question is, what is the relationship between the images and this name? Is this an attempt to reflect exotic fantasies onto a specific place? What does this say about the social and cultural context of the time? Are these views the product of wealthy tourists looking for beauty? Historical research into photography albums and tourism can allow us to speculate about what these images signify and how they were perceived.