Gezicht op de Markt te Middelburg c. 1890 - 1910

This is a photographic print of the Markt in Middelburg, made by the Van Straaten brothers. Photography in itself is a fascinating material process, where light-sensitive materials are exposed and developed to capture a moment in time. But what kind of moment is this? The image shows us a bustling marketplace, a site of intense economic activity. Stalls line the square, suggesting a vibrant scene of exchange and consumption. The presence of tram tracks cutting through the square indicates modern infrastructure, facilitating the movement of goods and people. Yet, the photograph’s monochrome palette mutes the colors of the market, and gives it an antique feel. The labor of setting up the market, the transactions, the social interactions, all become part of the image, frozen in time. We see a tableau of daily life, intertwined with the mechanics of commerce and the march of modernity. So, next time you look at a photograph, consider its making, and what it reveals about the world it captures.