Twee zeilschepen te water c. 1880 - 1900

Editor: This gelatin-silver print, titled "Twee zeilschepen te water", dates back to somewhere between 1880 and 1900, with the artist being James Adamson. I find the image very calming, like a scene from a daydream. What's your perspective on this work? Curator: This image provides an interesting lens through which to examine leisure and class at the end of the 19th century. Consider the sailboats; they represent not only technological advancement but also access to leisure activities primarily enjoyed by the upper classes. How do you think this scene reflects the social hierarchies of the time? Editor: I suppose the expense of owning and maintaining a sailboat would instantly make this an exclusive activity. So, you're saying it's less about the beauty of the scene and more about who had access to that beauty? Curator: Exactly. And think about photography itself – another technology that, while becoming more accessible, still represented a level of privilege. The choice of a landscape, too, taps into Romantic ideals of nature, but nature presented for the enjoyment of a specific social stratum. Does that shift your initial interpretation? Editor: It does, significantly. I hadn’t thought about it as a statement about access and privilege. I was so caught up in the tranquil aesthetic. Curator: Often, these idyllic images mask more complex social realities. Recognizing the underlying power structures at play enriches our understanding. Editor: I see the photo in a new light now. Thanks for pointing that out. I now look at all art through a socio-political lens.