Twee mannen in een roeiboot tijdens een jachtpartij, vermoedelijk bij Arcachon 1897

Here we see a photograph, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century, showing two men in a rowboat, possibly near Arcachon, France. The image, credited to an artist named Delizy, presents a seemingly straightforward scene, but a closer look allows us to consider the social and cultural context in which it was produced. The act of "jachtpartij", or recreational hunting, visible in this image, was tied to social class and leisure. The men, dressed in suits and hats, suggest middle or upper-class status, with time and resources to engage in such activities. Photography itself, at this time, was becoming more accessible but still carried a certain prestige. As such, the image hints at the relationship between social class and the developing technologies of visual representation. Understanding this photograph fully requires delving into the period’s social history and the cultural associations of leisure activities. By exploring period publications, social registers, and local histories, we can more accurately determine the picture's cultural and social significance.