Gezicht op een eed aan Vazerol en een opvoering tijdens de Calven-Feier te Chur before 1899

Editor: Here we have a fascinating photographic print dating from before 1899 by Lienhard & Salzborn entitled, "Gezicht op een eed aan Vazerol en een opvoering tijdens de Calven-Feier te Chur." Two outdoor scenes are shown with gatherings of people. There's an antiquated monument framing each scene. Overall, the tone feels almost ceremonial or performative. What do you see when you look at this? Curator: Oh, this whisks me away to a pageant in a storybook! The landscapes create such drama. Imagine the sunlight glinting off the banners, the echo of voices in those stone structures! The way the photographs are composed almost feels like paintings. And to capture these moments – these rituals, if you will – so long ago... What stories do you think these scenes are telling? Editor: Perhaps they are scenes depicting a pivotal historic event for the town or area? Both images appear very well attended, as if extremely important to the residents. I wonder if that explains the decision to photograph them as such. Curator: Exactly! The 'Calven-Feier' probably had great cultural weight and that is a brilliant guess. So many individuals in traditional dress captured together in the open air to reflect something so powerful that it's still evocative over a century later, what a privilege. Makes you feel almost connected across time. Editor: I feel like I am walking among the observers depicted here. Curator: Isn’t that the amazing thing about art, though? It shrinks time and space, letting us touch moments otherwise lost. I now have more curiosity than ever about that era. Thank you for opening up that rabbit hole!