Man met een ezel op een landweg in Frankrijk 1898

This photograph, titled 'Man met een ezel op een landweg in Frankrijk', was taken by the artist Delizy. It captures an anonymous man and his donkey on a rural road, a depiction which provides a glimpse into the daily life of the French countryside. In this image, we see more than just a man and his animal. The presence of the donkey suggests the significance of agriculture and labor within French society, especially considering the absence of machines. The picture immortalizes a specific socio-economic reality, which serves as a visual marker of a time gone by. The importance of institutional memory cannot be understated, and it is through records such as these, that we are able to understand, and learn from the past. The Rijksmuseum serves not only as a gallery but also as a repository for understanding cultural and historical phenomena. It's by looking at these images, researching the historical context of French rural life, and understanding how art institutions shape our understanding, that we can fully appreciate the rich history embedded in this photograph.