Dorpsgezicht in Wallis before 1896

Editor: Here we have Frédéric Boissonnas' "Dorpsgezicht in Wallis," or "Village View in Wallis," a photograph taken before 1896. It's quite atmospheric, almost dreamy with its soft focus, and depicts a tranquil village scene. Two women are in the foreground. How do you interpret this work, beyond the surface level depiction? Curator: Well, it invites you to step back in time, doesn't it? Boissonnas captures more than just a village; it’s a mood, a memory. Notice how he uses light to soften the edges, almost like a painter would with brushstrokes. The composition draws you in, those women in the front almost invite you to eavesdrop on their conversation and linger. Photography at this time, before 1896, was wrestling with its identity: Is it documentary or art? Boissonnas answers both; he offers documentation and ethereal art. Do you find that contrast as fascinating as I do? Editor: Absolutely, I see the soft focus combined with the realistic detail of the wooden structures. So it is straddling the documentary and art worlds. How did Boissonnas manage to get that soft effect with a camera? Curator: That, my dear Editor, is Pictorialism. It was a technique, but also a declaration! He might’ve used special lenses or printing techniques. These photographers were trying to elevate photography to the level of painting. They wanted to evoke feeling. Editor: I can almost smell the crisp mountain air just looking at this photo! I initially saw it as a snapshot, but the more you explain it, the more the layers and intentionality become apparent. Thank you for providing clarity on its importance. Curator: It has been my pleasure! I can always use a new way of thinking of an image. Sometimes revisiting art feels like coming home, especially if you can share the home with a friend.